Thirteen male prisoners who had been illegally held without a trial for between one and six years have been released.
This occurred after a significant judgment from the Federal High Court, Jalingo, delivered on Monday.
The inmates, who showed extreme happiness when they walked out of custody, were set free due to the assistance of human rights attorney, Barrister John Okezie, who defended them for no cost.
Okezie, our reporter found out, had submitted separate lawsuits for the enforcement of fundamental rights against the Nigeria Police Force, NPF, and the Department of State Services, DSS, challenging their illegal imprisonment.
When delivering the judgment, Justice Maskur Salisu called the lengthy imprisonment of the men a clear breach of their constitutional rights.
He ordered their immediate freedom and granted total compensation of $48 million to be paid by the security organizations.
Justice Salisu declared that: “Holding citizens for long periods without trial is not only against the constitution but is also an insult to human dignity.”
He also warned that all law enforcement bodies must operate strictly within the legal limits and honor the fundamental rights that are secured in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The court determined that the jailed men had been kept in various state facilities for years without being officially charged in court.
In every instance, Justice Salisu decided that their rights to freedom and a fair hearing had been severely violated, calling the security agencies’ actions “blameworthy and illegal.”
The court’s ruling was formally put into effect on November 3, 2025.
Human rights supporters who spoke with our reporter praised the decision as a major achievement for civil freedoms and a firm stand against arbitrary jail time in Nigeria.
Speaking to reporters, Barrister Okezie stated that his purpose was to help lessen prison overcrowding and ensure that justice is accessible to all people, regardless of their financial status.
He said that: “This was a free-of-charge effort intended to make sure that justice is not kept only for those who can pay for it.”
He advised the newly freed men to make the most of this second opportunity and to avoid any behavior that could put them back in prison.
Some of the freed inmates, clearly emotional, expressed deep thanks to Okezie for his help.
One of them said: “We would still be rotting in prison if he hadn’t helped,” and added that: “we’ve learned what we needed to and will live better lives.”
The decision was noticed to be broadly celebrated as a win for human rights and a strong reminder of the important role of the judiciary in protecting citizens from the abuse of power by law enforcement groups.
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