FREE LEGAL ASSISTANCE FOR 300 POOR INMATES IN 2026

At the beginning of 2025, we set an ambitious target, to secure the release of 300 unjustly detained inmates across various correctional centres in Nigeria. Through the tireless work of our team of volunteer lawyers, court advocates, and case officers, we have made remarkable progress toward this goal.

As of October 2025, we have successfully secured the release of 156 inmates, representing 52% of our annual target. Each release represents not just freedom regained, but dignity restored, families reunited, and a renewed belief in the justice system.

Behind every number is a story and this one captures the heart of our mission.

On July 6, 2025, nine men — Oluwafemi, Adekunle, Jamiu, and six others — were arrested in Mushin, Lagos, though they were complete strangers. Each was going about his daily life before being arbitrarily picked up by law enforcement officers.

They were taken to SARS Ikeja, where they were beaten and coerced into signing false confessions to being cult members. The next day, they were charged at Ogba Magistrate Court 1 with conspiracy, unlawful society, and unlawful conduct.

Although bail was granted, five of them remained in Kirikiri Correctional Centre due to their inability to provide sureties. Headfort Foundation stepped in on September 16, 2025, after being referred by a court official. Our lawyers discovered clear human rights violations and took over their defense.

At the next hearing on October 30, 2025, the prosecution again failed to produce its witness. We objected to further delays, arguing that justice delayed is justice denied. The court agreed, struck out the matter, and ordered the immediate release of all five defendants.

Their freedom represents not just a legal victory, but a restoration of dignity and hope.

The story of Oluwafemi, Adekunle, and Jamiu is one of many that reflect why our work matters. With every unjust detention challenged and every life restored, we move closer to a justice system that upholds fairness, dignity, and human rights for all.

We remain deeply grateful to our supporters on GlobalGiving for standing with us in this mission to promote access to justice and freedom for those forgotten behind bars. Together, we are proving that justice truly begins with us

PROJECT SUMMARY
Since inception, our core mission has been to ensure justice for indigent inmates across correctional centres in Nigeria. In line with this vision, at the beginning of the year, we set it as our annual goal to not only provide free legal representation and legal aid but also to ensure the release of 300 wrongly incarcerated inmates, which brings us closer to achieving a fairer justice system in Nigeria.

With our dedicated lawyers and partners in development, we have successfully secured the release of 99 inmates across various prisons in Nigeria.

PROGRESS REPORT
Thanks to you, we can report evident progress in this project. As of the time of submitting this report in July, we can confidently state that we have 99 beneficiaries of this project. In other words, we have provided free legal aid and representation to 99 inmates who have been reintegrated into society.

IMPACT HIGHLIGHT
Hammid, a young man from Oyo state based in Lagos, left his house in Lagos like any other evening, going to pick a commercial bus he shared with his friend. He and his friend are both commercial drivers who share the same bus on rotation.

While on his way to pick up the bus, he saw a colleague whose bus was faulty and decided to help. While helping, the area boys came and demanded that they pay for parking, and while trying to explain that they were not parked, a fight broke out. Hammid, sensing danger, fled the scene to hide in an uncompleted building, and on entering the building, workers who saw him going in caught him and accused him of theft. They dealt with him before handing him over to the police. He spent 2 months and 3 days in custody before he was arraigned, not for trial, but to be locked away in Kirikiri Correctional Centre.

On May 28, 2025, while one of ur lawyers was in court for another case, his case was brought to our attention. We followed up, insisting his file must be found. The judge was surprised to learn the man has been in custody for seven years over charges that wouldn't even carry that sentence if proven guilty. And every time he was brought to court for a hearing, he was locked in the court jail and never made it to the courtroom.
On June 27, 2025, with no witnesses present, the case was dismissed from court.
Hammid could not believe he would ever be free again, and he made it known to us that at the time of his arrest, his wife was 7 months pregnant, so he had a seven-year-old he had never seen.
Thanks to your continued support, a child gets to meet his father, and though he has missed the early stage of his child's life, he gets to see his child at the end.
His story is not so unique, as there are many behind bars like this. For every Hammid we secure release for, there are 9 more behind bars.

KEY MILESTONES
- 99 inmates released: Legal aid was made available to individuals wrongly detained or unable to afford representation in court.

- Increased Awareness: Our regular visits to correctional facilities and engagement with the legal system have highlighted systemic issues and the need for reform.

THE ROAD AHEAD
In providing legal assistance to those in greatest need, this project keeps making impressive strides. Even though we've made a significant difference, there are still a great number of people who are waiting for assistance and justice.

We have a clear objective, which is to secure 300 prisoners' freedom and justice. We are confident that this is achievable with your ongoing generosity and support. By working together, we can change more stories, restore more freedom, and impact more lives.

Links:

• http://headfortfoundation.org