Looking ahead to freedom

 Sarat Abdulsalam for The Guardian Newspaper

Ikoyi Prisons inmates acquire skills to become good citizens in future, thanks to PSWA.
In his late 20s, Wasiu Ajumoje, did not look like he could hurt a fly. But he had been detained at the Ikoyi Prisons since 2008 for alleged murder.
Since then, Ajumoje, who hails from Lagos Island, has not appeared in court for once.

He is one of the thousands of 'Awaiting Trial' inmates in Ikoyi and other prisons, whose fate may never be determined until the particularly slow wheel of the nation's justice system turns their way.

As he continues to wait, he has chosen to improve on the carpentry he was an
apprentice in before his troubles began.

When The Guardian spoke with him during a workshop organized by Prison Welfare Support Association (PWSA), he lamented his continued detention without trial, even as he claimed that had he been tried, he would have been acquitted and set free. "I am not a murderer.

"I was learning to be a carpenter when this thing happened and as I continue to wait, I am also improving my knowledge and skill as a carpenter.


"I can make beautiful chairs and stools and many other types of furniture and one day when I am free, I will set up a workshop of my own", he said.


During the workshop, The Guardian also met another inmate who, though he pleaded for anonymity, told The Guardian he was charged for manslaughter in 2002.

"Since then, I have trained to be a tailor and already I am looking forward to leaving here and making something of my life since I was sentenced last year to three years.


"I did not kill anyone. I was trying to stop a fight between a boy and a woman over a wall clock, when the boy suddenly, fainted and later died in the clinic were I rushed him.


"They said I killed him and that was how I found myself in prison". There were many others, including Adebayo Adewoye, an indigene of Kwara State and Omotosho Michael, who hails from Ekiti State."


Now a skilled shoemaker following the training he has received in the six years he has been in prison, Adewoye told The Guardian:  "I learnt shoe making here, because I realized sitting around won't do me any good. I now have a certificate to show for it".


"My shoes cost between N800.00 and N1000.00 here but they are worth much more outside. " I wish I had freedom to maximize my job".


A tailor, Omotosho Michael, is popularly acknowledged as 'master tailor ' on account of his expertise in fashion designing. Now, he is teaching other inmates to sew clothes. He told The Guardian: "We make suits, shirts and trousers at affordable prices; we design for both men and women. We sell a pair of suits for N2,500.00, which is rather cheap.


"But we are happy we have not been idle here in prison. When we get out into the society, we would be able to    carry on with what we learnt and so make ourselves useful members of the society." Then, there was 22- year-old Tunde Isiaka, from Epe who has acquired a lot of skills in arts and crafts.

He said he reads motivational books among them, those written by Pastor Chris Oyakhilome of Christ Embassy.

"It was when I came here I learnt to draw. " I drew Pastor Chris because I read his motivational books which have helped change my behavior for the better".

According to Vice President, PWSA and Chairperson of the Workshop Planning Committee, Mrs. S. Agiobu-Kemmer Pearse: "The programme for the workshop was planned to impart positive attitudinal social
behavior to the inmates.

"The second part focuses on skills acquisition in easy-to- learn lucrative vocations with start-up capital as low as N5,000.00." Lamenting the slow process of dispensation of justice and the inadequate facilities
in the prisons, Mrs. Agiobu-Kemmer Pearse noted that Ikoyi Prisons and others reflect the flawed criminal justice system bequeathed to Nigeria by the colonial masters.


"The problem of over-crowing and over-population in the prison is serious and poses a constant threat to health and sanitation and wellbeing of those in prison.


"Ikoyi Prison built to take a maximum of 800, as of today has 1724 inmates, more than double its capacity."


She commended voluntary organizations, both religious and secular, as well as individuals who have in various ways identified with Prison Welfare Support Association's efforts to bring succour to inmates and prepare them for a successful life outside.


Among such groups are House on the Rock Church, Nasrul-Lahi-L-Fatih Society of Nigeria, Our Savior Anglican Church, Chrio Foundation, Christians In Action, Muharam Sisters, The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM) among others.


She said PWSA has chosen to " be a voice for the forgotten and voiceless, to sensitize the public, policy makers and government to address the issues we are canvassing about welfare of those in prison.


"Our mission is to render humanitarian services for the wellbeing of inmates through spiritual enrichment, economic and social support machineries and mechanisms.


"We try to establish and maintain a forum for the achievement of objectives such as: charity to prisoners and remand homes, to support inmates and, former inmates and those awaiting trial through legal aid, educational and vocational skills-acquisition and training programs and establishment of vocational centre and
industries in prisons and larger society.


"Though we give welfare support, we believe that, ultimately, the best that can be done is through programmes like this workshop to empower the inmates with life skills to successfully re-integrate them when they leave the prisons back into the society."


Commending members of PWSA, the Deputy Comptroller, Ikoyi Prisons, Mr. Sidi Mohammed, said their efforts went a long way towards equipping inmates with skills that will help them adapt and contribute positively to the society when they leave.


A motivational speaker, Mrs. Lawal challenged the inmates to make the best of the opportunity the workshop offered them and avoid anti-social and illegal acts that could make them return to prison.