The National Association of Catholic Lawyers (NACL), Lagos chapter,  on Friday, said that it secured the release of no fewer than 150 inmates through free legal services in 2025.

President of the state’s NACL, Florence Atuluku, disclosed this at the 2025 annual Christmas celebration and gifts to the inmates, held at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre.

The event was attended by inmates from correctional centres in Lagos State and their management, as well as the Lagos Catholic Archbishop, Most. Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins.

The event featured a celebration of Mass as well as the consecration of 25 inmates with the sacrament of confirmation by the Archbishop.

There were also donations of bags of rice, confectioneries, toiletries, clothes, disinfectant, beverages, cash and educational aids to support their reform.

The materials given to the inmates were donations from the Prison Aposlate of the Church, the NACL, the Christian Woman Organisation (CWO) among others.

Speaking at the event, Ms Atuluku, described the visit as a re-engineering of redeeming values that would help the inmates reform.

Ms Atuluku noted that in 2025, the association has been able to secure release of about 150 inmates through free legal aid.

According to her, the lawyer association does not only offer humanitarian works in terms of offering material gifts but also deploy their legal services to aid the people regain freedom free of charge.

“Through our professional services we look through the records to find out those that have stayed without trial, and bring them to the fore with a view to getting them better conditions.

“In my interactions with inmates, I am struck by the tragedy of wasted human potentials; Their voices echo regret, pain and longing for a second chance.

“The truth is sobering; many outside the correctional centre walls are guilty of similar failings, shielded only by privilege or circumstances.

“The difference is not only morality, but opportunity,” she said.

She said that the team would intensify efforts in 2026 to decongest the facilities especially for minor cases. 

(NAN)