Catholic lawyers secured release of 150 inmates in 2025: NACL
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)
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
States
Kano architects demand strict enforcement of building regulations
Disturbed by recurring cases of building collapses, the Kano State chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Architects has called for strict enforcement of building regulations.
States
Flooding: NEMA, KADSEMA search for missing persons in Kaduna River
NEMA and KADSEMA have launched a search-and-rescue operation for two persons swept away by floodwaters in the Kaduna River.
States
Police rescue 15 cows, one Katsina resident from bandits
The police command in Katsina says it has foiled kidnap and cattle rustling attempts in Funtua and Musawa council areas, rescuing one kidnap victim and recovering 15 rustled cows.
Agriculture
Farmers seek subsidised farm inputs to boost food production in Taraba
The farmers said the high cost and limited availability of fertilisers and other essential farm inputs had become major constraints as the rainy season commenced.
Politics
Kaduna: 12,000 people defect to APC in Lere LG
Twelve thousand members of opposition political parties have defected to the All Progressives Congress in the Lere council area of Kaduna.
Anti-Corruption
LS Cable & System USA agrees to pay $4 million to resolve PPP loan fraud allegations
LS Cable & System USA has agreed to pay $4 million to the United States to resolve allegations of false claims for payments under the Paycheck Protection Programme loans.
