Legal aid for young people
Free legal support for young people held in custody, so their cases finally reach a court.
Advancing Prisoners’ Welfare
Fair treatment. Fair trial. A fresh start.
Most people held in Nigeria’s custodial centres have not been convicted of anything. We fight for faster justice, humane conditions and a real second chance.
Independent of government · Funded by members in Nigeria and worldwide
64%
of people in custody are awaiting trial, not convicted
NCoS, Feb 2026
80,812
people held in Nigeria’s custodial centres
NCoS, Feb 2026
1–2 days
the legal limit before police must bring a suspect to court
Constitution of Nigeria, s.35(5)
9+ years
Sikuru Alade waited in custody without trial
ECOWAS Court of Justice, 2012
Our work
Six ways we fight for justice
From the police cell to the courtroom to coming home, we work at every point where the system fails people.
Remand reform
Campaigning to end years-long pre-trial detention and the misuse of “holding charges”.
Prisoner welfare
Prison visits and advocacy to improve health, sanitation and living conditions inside.
Abolish the death penalty
Working for an end to capital punishment in Nigeria, and for the people on death row now.
Rehabilitation & prevention
Reformatory approaches that prepare people to come home, and stop crime before it starts.
Research & campaigns
Evidence from inside the system, turned into public campaigns that change policy.
Why we exist
Nine years. No trial.
Sikuru Alade was remanded on a “holding charge” in 2003 and held at Kirikiri Maximum Security Prison for more than nine years without ever being tried. He walked free only after a regional court ruled his detention arbitrary.
His case is extreme, but the waiting is not. Two in three people in custody today are still awaiting trial.
Read the full story →“Men are sent to prison as a punishment, not for punishment.”
9 March 2003
Arrested and held with no court authorisation for two months.
15 May 2003
A magistrate remands him on a holding charge.
2003 – 2012
Kirikiri Maximum Security Prison. Never returned to court. Never charged.
2012
The ECOWAS Court finds his detention arbitrary under the African Charter.
18 September 2012
Released after review by the Chief Judge of Lagos State.
Testa dura · “hard head”
Be stubborn for justice.
Our members, in Nigeria and around the world, are the movement. Add your voice, your skills or a monthly gift, wherever you live.
Members worldwide
Find people near you, join an online meeting, or start a chapter where you live.
Know your rights
If someone you love is arrested
Three things every family in Nigeria should know. Share them, because they could free someone.
Court within 1–2 days
Police must bring them before a court within 1 day if a court is within 40 km, otherwise 2 days.
Constitution of Nigeria, s.35(5)
They can stay silent
They may stay silent until they have spoken with a lawyer or another person of their choice.
Constitution of Nigeria, s.35(2)
Write it all down
Note the police station, the date and time of the arrest, and the names of any officers.
Testadura guidance
Latest
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Help a young person get their day in court.
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