FOUR INMATES AT THE NCS KABBA REGAIN FREEDOM THROUGH PDCRC’S LEGAL AID

Four inmates in custody at the Nigerian Correctional Service, Kabba, regained freedom through the provision of legal aid by the Kogi State Office of the Public Defender and Citizens’ Rights Commission (PDCRC). 

You may recall that on the 30th day of October, 2024, the Director General, Kogi State Office of the Public Defender and Citizens’ Rights Commission, Musa Onogo Idris, Esq and some Law Officers of the Commission paid a courtesy visit to the Nigerian Correctional Service, Kabba, Kogi State, particularly to take up matters of inmates who lacked legal representation in Court for inability to engage a lawyer. 

During the said visit, the four (4) defendants above were part of the eighteen (18) inmates PDCRC took the brief to provide free legal representation in Court.

The four (4) defendants were separately arraigned before the Chief Magistrate Court, Apata Oworo, Kogi State in the case between Commissioner of Police vs. John Godwin on offences of Criminal Trespass and Theft contrary to sections 342 and 286 of the Kogi State Penal Code; Commissioner of Police vs. Samaila Ma’ati on offences of Vagabond contrary to section 405 of the Kogi State Penal Code; Commissioner of Police vs. Nazifi Balarabe on offences of Criminal Trespass and Theft contrary to sections 342 and 286 of the Kogi State Penal Code and Commissioner of Police vs. John Abednego on offences of Criminal Conspiracy, Criminal Trespass and Theft contrary to sections 96, 342 and 286 of the Kogi State Penal Code.  

Consequently, PDCRC provided legal aid to the defendants (John Godwin, Samaila Ma’ati, Nazifi Balarabe and John Abednego) which led to their discharge and the case against them struck out by the Chief Magistrate Court, Apata Oworo on the 11th December, 2024.

It was indeed a moment of jubilation for John Godwin, Samaila Ma’ati, Nazifi Balarabe and John Abednego for being free again having spent some months in incarceration.

 They deeply appreciated the Commission for the legal assistance rendered to them and prayed that God continue to bless the Commission.  The Law Officer of the Commission advised them to put the duration of times spent in detention behind and see the glorious future ahead and admonished them to always be of good behaviour so as to become great personalities of value that will contribute meaningfully to the society. 

He noted that PDCRC is committed to the provision of legal aid and other related services to the indigent and disadvantaged residents in the State and that the Commission is always willing to provide free legal representation to persons and inmates who have no legal representation in Court for inability to engage a private legal practitioner.

The Officer of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Kabba appreciated the DG PDCRC and his team for providing legal aid and legal assistance to the indigent inmates and residents of the State who cannot afford a lawyer to handle their matters.

Ameh Friday, Esq.Senior Legal Officer/Director General’s Legal Assistant

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