By By Micheal Chukwuebuka
HUMAN rights activist and lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, has called on the Federal Government of Nigeria to intervene in what he described as the “inhumane and degrading” treatment of Nigerian citizens held in prison in the Republic of Benin.
Adeyanju disclosed on Thursday that he had submitted a petition to the Nigerian Senate, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), and the Nigerian Embassy in Cotonou, highlighting the dire conditions of detainees in the Civil de Adjagbo prison in Abomey-Calavi.
According to him, many of the Nigerians being held have been denied fair trial and basic legal protections. He further alleged that one of the detainees, identified as Salami Deyomi, had died while in custody.
“Yesterday, we wrote a petition to the Nigerian Senate, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Diaspora Commission and the Embassy of Benin Republic about the conditions some Nigerian citizens who are currently detained in the Civil de Adjagbo prison in Abomey-Calavi, Republic of Benin are kept,” Adeyanju stated.
“They have been held without access to fair trial or even basic legal protections. Disturbingly, one of the detainees named, Salami Deyomi, reportedly died in prison custody. Many others remain behind bars under harsh, inhumane and degrading conditions.
“We call on the Nigerian Government to urgently investigate this matter. Human rights are universal, non-negotiable, inherent and must be upheld.”
The activist urged authorities in Abuja to engage with their Beninese counterparts to ensure the rights of the affected citizens are safeguarded and justice is delivered.
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