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

Eight inmates had psychiatric problems but the prison has no facilities for the handling of psychiatriccases. A Psychiatrist comes to see them on Fridays from Jos University Teaching Hospital and thePlateau State Specialist Hospital Jos. Fifteen inmates were suspected of living with HIV/AIDS and fiveinmates had contacted tuberculosis (TB). The TB inmates were isolated and kept in a cell underunhygienic conditions. At the time of the visit, the retro­viral drugs for HIV/AIDS available had beensupplied by some NGOs. The dispensary lacks anti biotic drugs as they are mostly in short supply.Inmates with gunshot wounds were sometimes turned. There were no surgical facilities at thedispensary to take care of such inmates. There is neither an ambulance nor funds, to take care ofemergencies. Most cases of child delivery are done in the hospital through the help and generosity ofthe staff. Cases of reference to other hospitals are sometimes not treated due to lack of funds. Forinstance, the case of an inmate with a kidney problem has remained unattended to, due to lack offunds.RECREATIONAL FACILITIESJos prison has recreational facilities. Such recreational facilities include, a football field, table tennisand, a volleyball court. The prison occasionally organizes sporting competition while at sometimesclubs from outside are allowed use of the facilities. The prison also has a recreational centre forrelaxation.AWAITING TRIAL INMATESAs at 13 th November, 2006, Jos Prison housed 428 awaiting trial inmates made up of 4 females and770 males.In the female inmates’ cell, some of the inmates had spent between 21 days and 3 years awaiting trialon charges ranging from fighting to culpable homicide.1 Victoria Daleng, a 23­year­old student of Kaduna Polytechnic. She had spent 3 years in prisoncustody. She was charged for culpable homicide and remanded in prison on the orders of the HighCourt Bukuru, Jos South Local Government Council Plateau State. A lawyer represents her. At apoint the Chief Judge of the state granted her bail but the trial judge who challenged the ground onwhich she was granted bail revoked the bail.2 Virginia Nwankwo, 35 years old, a housewife of a sick husband and a mother of six children. Thehusband is diabetics and high blood patient. She had spent 3 months on the order of a high courtJos. She was charged for unlawful possession of firearms. Her lawyer represents her.3 Asabe Abdulllahi, age 63 years, was charged for murder and convicted in Jimeta. She spentsometimes in Yola prison before she was transferred to jos prison, she has been convicted for3years. She had just spent 24 days in jos prison. She spent 10 years as awaiting person before sheconvicted to death sentence.In the male section of the prison, it was discovered that the inmates have been awaiting trial forperiods between 1 month and 6 years.4 Linus Lawrence, age 39 was remanded in prison custody by the Chief Magistrate’s Court, JosMetropolitan Development Board, Jos on charges of armed robbery. He has been awaiting trialsince 2003. His private lawyer represents him.42