Dr. Monday Ubani, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), has called for the immediate compensation of individuals who have been wrongfully detained without trial, stressing the urgent need for Nigeria’s legal system to hold authorities accountable for prolonged incarcerations.
Ubani, the Principal Partner at Ubani & Co., made the call during a recent interview, where he expressed concern over the widespread issue of detainees spending extended periods in correctional facilities without ever being charged in court. He described this practice as a serious violation of fundamental human rights, stressing that the law should protect individuals from such injustices.
“If someone is detained and the authorities cannot initiate a trial within a month or two, then the person should be released,” Ubani stated. “Damages should also be paid for the wrongful detention.”
“The current state of our correctional centres is a shame. They are not correctional facilities. More people are awaiting trial than those who have actually been convicted,” Ubani remarked.
Ubani called for urgent legal reforms to ensure the Nigerian justice system upholds fairness, justice, and accountability. He emphasized that under the law, everyone is presumed innocent until proven guilty, and no individual should serve time before a proper trial.
“The law presumes everyone innocent until proven guilty. A prison sentence should only come after conviction, not before trial,” he stressed.
The Senior Advocate urged lawmakers, judges, and the executive to take immediate action to address wrongful detentions and implement a stronger legal framework that ensures no innocent person remains in detention for years without trial. He also called for systemic changes to hold authorities accountable for prolonged incarceration.
Ubani reaffirmed his commitment to defending the rights of those who have been wrongfully incarcerated. His firm, Ubani & Co., will continue to advocate for the release and compensation of those abandoned by the system.
“We will continue doing what we have been known for—helping those who have been abandoned by the system,” he concluded.
Ubani’s statements reflect a growing call for reform in Nigeria’s justice system, where many detainees languish in jail for prolonged periods without facing trial, undermining the principle of justice and the rule of law.