Groups Fault Nigerian Criminal Justice System

Amnesty International and the Human Rights Social Development and Environmental Foundation (HURSDEF), have described the Nigerian criminal justice system as faulty.
The groups, which said this at a stop torture sensitisation campaign in Oyigbo said that the Nigerian criminal justice system does not protect the rights of the poor and the vulnerable in the society.
According to the groups, over 85 of those in prison are innocent of the crime they allegedly committed.
Executive Director, Human Rights Social Development and Environmental Foundation, Mr Justin Ijeoma, who also represented Amnesty International at the occasion said that a bill to criminalise torture sponsored by the group is before the National Assembly.
Justin Ijeoma said that people must come out to report cases of torture either by the Police or the Military.
“Torture is not only still happening. It is increasing at an alarming rate. Governments in every region have broken their promises and because of these broken promises, people continue to be tortured in their thousands, “he alleged.
He said that before 2016 to 2017, his group was able to secure the release of 185 persons from various security detentions, stressing that out of these, 35 persons were from prison custody while 61 were tortured.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Police Command has blamed its poor public rating on bad eggs amongst it.
State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr Nnamdi Omoni, who said this during the campaign however, appealed to the public to assist the Police to fish out the bad eggs.
The PPRO, who was represented by Inspector Elizabeth Ojeata, said that the command has set up a human rights desk at the police headquarters in Moscow Road.