NHRC intervenes into 523 juvenile cases in Anambra prisons

National Human Rights Commission(NHRC), has waded into juvenile cases of some inmates in Anambra, involving about 523 inmates in Awka and Onitsha prisons.

The body said the move was in line with the commemoration of the African Pre-Trial Day 2019 with theme: “Decriminalisation of Petty and Minor Offences.”

In a speech at Onitsha Prisons, where the commission interfaced with some juvenile inmates, the state coordinator, Mrs Nkechi Ugwuanyi said the focus was to gather details of the inmates whose alleged offences fall within the classification.

“This is to enable us to make appropriate interventions toward the decongestion of the prisons through advocacy for decongestion, through decriminalisation of petty or minor offences,” she added.

While describing the number of juvenile cases recorded as quite high, she noted that inmates, whose cases had been compiled, could have reasons to smile at the end of the exercise.

“Decriminalisation of petty offences is expected to reduce the challenges that pre-trial detention poses on the prison system and the society.

“We encourage stakeholders to affect the law, policy and practice of reforms,” Ugwuanyi said.

Earlier, Deputy Controller, Onitsha Prisons, Mr Jerry Mazi, called for alternative punishment for juveniles that commit offences rather than remanding them in prison custody.