After spending a staggering 25 years in detention over a stolen generator allegation, a middle-aged man has finally regained his freedom.
The man, whose name was not disclosed at press time, was released recently following a legal review and intervention by justice reform advocates who described his case as a tragic example of prolonged pretrial detention and systemic delay in Nigeria’s criminal justice system.
According to sources, the man was arrested in the late 1990s and held in custody over accusations of stealing a generator. Despite the minor nature of the alleged offence, he was never granted bail, and the case dragged on for decades without conclusion.
Rights groups who followed the case lamented that he had no legal representation for most of the time and lacked access to timely court hearings. His release came after renewed advocacy brought attention to his plight, prompting judicial authorities to revisit his file.
Legal experts say the incident highlights the urgent need for reforms to address Nigeria’s overcrowded correctional facilities and ensure the right to fair and speedy trials.
The man is now receiving psychological and welfare support to aid his reintegration into society after spending nearly half his life behind bars for a crime that was never proven in court.
