THE STATE OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN NIGERIA 2005 - UNDP Nigeria ...

Ifeanyi Arasu, aged 28, was charged for armed robbery by Sokoto High Court since 1998 and hasbeen awaiting trial since then. He goes to court every month and there have been series ofadjournments. He has legal representation from Legal Aid Council.VISITORS BOOKThe visitors’ book in Sokoto central prison is old but well kept. The pages of the book were properlydivided into columns for visitors to indicate their names, addresses and purpose of visits. Fromthe records, lawyers from Federal and State Ministries of Justice as well as NGOs have beenvisiting the prison regularly. The members of Administration of Justice Committee visited the prison inJuly 2006.Recommendations on Sokoto Prison1 The Federal Government should renovate Sokoto Central Prison and reconstruct the building thathas collapsed.2 Adequate funding to enable the prison out the day­to­day running of the prison effectively.3 Recreational facilities should be provided at the prison, namely, football field, lawn tennis andbadminton courts amongst others.4 Vocational and educational facilities should be provided and improved in the prison.5 Adequate and relevant drugs should be supplied to the clinic at the prison regularly.MAIDUGURI NEW PRISONIntroductionThe Maiduguri New Prison was built in 1954 by the then Regional Government of Northern Nigeria.The prison capacity is 680 but as at November 9, 2006, the lock­up was 375 inmates. Thisnumber comprises 237 convicts, 138 awaiting trial inmates out of which there were 134 malesand 4 females. The prison has staff strength of 153 officers.FeedingThe inmates’ food is prepared under hygienic conditions. The quality of the food was tasted andconfirmed satisfactory. The inmates stated that their rations were adequate and contained varieties ofnutrients like vegetables, beans, starch etc.BeddingsThe convicted inmates have double bunk beds in their cells, but the beddings such as mattresses,pillows and blankets were inadequate. Some inmates sleep on bare floor with mats in both theconvicted and awaiting trial cells.Health Care FacilitiesThe prison had a clinic facility with 8 beds. Drugs were available in the store and supplies were sent onrequest from the headquarters in Abuja. However, there were no drugs for the treatment of psychiatricinmates.29