LAWYERS ALERT'S 2025 PRISON DECONGESTION CASES REPORT

1.   AHMODU SALISU

The case against Ahmodu Salisu was one of criminal trespass and theft. On October 2, 2024, Mr. Emeka Douglas of No. 34 Onitsha Street, Wurukum Makurdi, returned home to discover that several household items had been stolen due to an unlocked kitchen door. The stolen items, valued at ₦124,000, included a 6kg gas cylinder, two large aluminium pots, a frying pan, and a set of plates. Following a report made on October 4, 2024, police investigations led to the arrest of Ahmodu Salisu, a scrap dealer from No. 30 Kaduna Street, Wadata Makurdi. The stolen items were recovered from his possession, and he was charged under Sections 348 and 287 of the Benue State Penal Code Law 2004. The case was filed in Chief Magistrate Court 1, Makurdi, under Court File No. MCM/3894/24 and brought before the court on October 7, 2024.

Outcome: Ahmodu Salisu, unable to afford legal representation, remained in prison custody for over one year until Lawyers Alert discovered his case and took it up pro bono. During conviction proceedings, Lawyers Alert made a plea of allocutus on his behalf, requesting judicial leniency. After considering the plea and surrounding circumstances, the court discharged and acquitted Salisu, effectively clearing him of all charges.

2.   TERWASE ALUECHIA

The case against Terwase Aluechia was one of criminal conspiracy, membership of an unlawful society to wit cultism, and acts of terrorism. On July 30, 2024, at about 7:00 PM, officers from Konshisha Divisional Headquarters, acting on credible intelligence about a planned cultist attack in Abgeragba Town, raided criminal hideouts in collaboration with the Community Volunteer Guard. Five suspects were arrested, including Terwase Aluechia (22), Abraham Aondona (24), Iorhemba Sonnen (16), Demkwagh Ushana (17), and Akaha Tersoo (18). They were allegedly found in possession of weapons and charms. During police interrogation, the suspects confessed to being members of the Black Skull and Red Skin Confraternities. The matter was transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) Makurdi and referred to the Anti-Cultism Section for investigation. They were subsequently charged before Chief Magistrate Court 6 A, under Court File No: CMC/21CB/2024, for offences under Section 97 of the Penal Code Law of Benue State (2004) and Sections 11(2) and 4(3) of the Abduction, Hostage-Taking, Kidnapping, Secret Cult and Similar Activities Prohibition Law of Benue State (2017).

Terwase Aluechia, unable to afford legal representation, remained in prison custody for one year and three months until Lawyers Alert discovered his case and took it up pro bono. A bail application was filed on his behalf, which was initially objected to but later considered and granted by the court. Lawyers Alert perfected the bail process, securing his release. The case did not proceed to final conviction or sentencing.

3.    AONDOUNGWA ZAKI

 The case is an ongoing case. The facts of the case states that, on March 18, 2024, Aondonungwa Zaki, along with two accomplices Simon Ordidoo and Terlumun (both still at large) allegedly stole four electric generators from Welfare Quarters in Makurdi. Zaki was apprehended by the Benue State Community Volunteer Guards on March 20, 2024, and taken to ‘B’ Division Police Station, High Level, Makurdi. During interrogation, he confessed to the theft and admitted selling one of the stolen generators, a Thermocool Husler 3500 RS, to Gali Samaila and Hussaini Hassan, both residents of Old Rice Mill, Wurukum Makurdi. All three were arrested and charged with criminal conspiracy, theft, and receiving stolen property, contrary to Sections 97, 287, and 397 of the Penal Code Law of Benue State. The case was filed in Chief Magistrate Court 2, Makurdi, under Court File No. cmcb3502/2028, and the suspects were arraigned on March 22, 2024.

Since arraignment, the case has stalled with no substantial progress. The defendant, Aondonungwa Zaki, has remained in detention for 1 year and 7 months without trial. Considering his age which is 15 years, He was granted bail by the court at the instance but could not afford to perfect it and he could not even afford legal representation. Lawyers Alert took steps to perfect his bail but faced a challenge of his surety. The complainant on the other hand, has repeatedly failed to appear in court, further delaying proceedings. Lawyers Alert, now representing Zaki, is preparing an application to strike out the matter due to prolonged detention and lack of prosecution. The case is scheduled to come up on November 17, where the application will be formally presented.