I met a boy who had been in pr!son for 10 years. He was sent to pr!son when he was 12 in 2015 for steal!ng. Now he is 22. No trial, no lawyer, no voice,” revealed Lawyer Alex, who stepped in to rescue a forgotten soul lost in Nigeria’s justice system.According to the lawyer, the young man, Emeka, had been locked away since he was just a child — with no legal representation, no family contact, and no trial.
His childhood, teenage years, and early adulthood were stolen in silence.But today, justice finally found its voice. We stood where justice had long been silent. We held his hands, walked him out of the courtroom, and gave him back his future. Welcome back, Emeka.” – Lawyer Alex—⚖️ Was He Even Supposed to Be in Prison?Absolutely not. Under Nigerian law and international human rights conventions, what happened to Emeka was an unlawful and gross violation of his rights. Child Rights Act (2003):Emeka was 12 — still a child.The law forbids imprisoning children in adult facilities.
He should have been placed in a juvenile rehabilitation centre, and only as a last resort. 1999 Nigerian Constitution – Section 36: Every citizen has a right to fair hearing and legal representation. Emeka was denied both. UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (ratified by Nigeria):
No child should be arbitrarily detained.Children must have access to legal help and their families.—💔 A Decade Stolen — Who Will Be Held Accountable? Emeka’s story is not just emotional — it is a legal disgrace and a call to action.It reflects a deeper crisis within the Nigerian criminal justice system, where the poor and voiceless are often forgotten.
Over to You:Is this how the justice system should work? How many more Emekas are still locked away?👉 Drop your comment below.
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