The Edo State First Lady, Mrs. Edesili Okpebholo Anani, has expressed concern over prolonged pretrial detention in correctional centres, citing a case of an inmate who reportedly spent 10 years in custody awaiting trial, and pledged support for efforts to decongest custodial facilities and improve access to justice.
Mrs. Anani made this known when she received members of the Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee (Federal) at the Government House, Benin City, where she expressed her willingness to support initiatives promoting justice, inmate welfare, rehabilitation and reintegration.
She described prolonged detention without conviction as a serious injustice and a major contributor to overcrowding in correctional centres, stressing the need for measures to ensure the timely determination of cases.
The First Lady also advocated greater use of non-custodial measures, particularly for minor offences where imprisonment may not be necessary.
She expressed concern that some inmates remain in custody because they lack the financial resources, influence or support needed to navigate the justice system, insisting that access to justice should not depend on an individual’s social or economic status.
Mrs. Anani assured the committee of her commitment to supporting initiatives that improve inmates’ welfare, facilitate access to justice and promote the rehabilitation and reintegration of offenders into society.
While emphasising personal responsibility and respect for the law, she called for increased public awareness of the Constitution and relevant laws, noting that ignorance of the law could contribute to criminal behaviour.
She disclosed that her office would collaborate with the committee to intensify sensitisation campaigns targeting children, mothers, youths, churches, other religious institutions and young people in vulnerable communities to promote lawful conduct and prevent crime.
Earlier, the Executive Secretary of the committee, Mrs. Evbu Igbinedion, commended the First Lady for visiting the Benin Correctional Centre on October 1, 2026, where she celebrated Independence Day with inmates.
Igbinedion said the delegation also sought stronger collaboration with the Office of the First Lady and acknowledged Mrs. Anani’s contributions to correctional reform and access to justice.
She explained that the committee established the Restore Hope Initiative to address overcrowding in custodial centres, particularly cases involving inmates detained because they could not pay court-imposed fines, as well as challenges associated with reoffending.
According to her, the initiative seeks to pay fines for eligible inmates whose continued detention is linked to their inability to meet such obligations. It also provides rehabilitation and reintegration support through grants, starter packs, vocational training and skills acquisition.
Igbinedion commended Mrs. Anani for paying fines for inmates during her October 1 visit, describing the intervention as a contribution towards reducing custodial congestion, supporting rehabilitation and easing pressure on the police and the courts.
The visit culminated in the presentation of an Award of Honour to Mrs. Anani and her decoration as the first Access to Justice Ambassador under the Restore Hope Initiative, in recognition of her commitment to restorative justice and improved access to justice for vulnerable persons.