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WHO WE ARE

We are advocates and activists working to significantly improve access to justice in Nigeria.

Headfort Foundation for Justice is powered by hundreds of activists and advocates working to transform the Nigerian criminal justice systems until they’re fair for all.

Founded in 2019 to provide access to justice, advocate for human rights, and juvenile justice in Nigeria, Headfort is now a national organization that partners with impacted communities and government leaders for change.

We develop just solutions so that money doesn’t determine freedom; fewer people are in jails, prisons, and everyone in the system is informed, has access to legal practitioners and treated with dignity regardless of their socio-economic status.

Our Impacts

12,000+

Indigent Nigerians supported with legal aid

600+

Awaiting Trial Inmates Released

1,050,000+

Pro bono hours used

12+

Correctional facilities engaged

100+

media outlets engaged.

2,000,000+

Nigerians reached on Advocacy

3+

Law Enforcement Agencies Engaged

104+

Law Enforcement Agents Engaged

Impact Stories

How we are impacting lives

7 IKORODU MEN ARRESTED FOR "WANDERING", FREED AFTER 2 MONTHS IN DETENTION.

INNOCENT MAN DETAINED FOR MONTHS, DENIED ACCESS TO FAMILY AND LEGAL REPRESENTATION.

UNJUST INCARCERATION: FIREWOOD SELLER'S HEALTH CRISIS LEADS TO RELEASE AFTER SEVEN MONTHS IN PRISON.

ALUMINIUM FABRICATOR WRONGFULLY ACCUSED OF THEFT

HARUNA SPENT 15 MONTHS IN PRISON FOR BUYING A PHONE HE NEVER KNEW WAS STOLEN.

AYOMIDE FREED AFTER A YEAR-LONG DETENTION FOR CRIMES HE DIDN'T COMMIT.

DARE SPENT 2 MONTHS IN PRISON FOR A CRIME HE DID NOT COMMIT.

SEGUN REGAINED HIS FREEDOM AFTER SPENDING 3 MONTHS IN PRISON FOR CRIME HE DID NOT COMMIT

SECURITY GUARD SPENT 11 MONTHS IN PRISON WITHOUT TRIAL.

72-YEAR-OLD SECURITY GUARD FREED AFTER SPENDING ONE WEEK IN PRISON.

KABIR SPENT FIVE MONTHS IN PRISON CUSTODY WITHOUT TRIAL.

OLUFEMI WAS GRANTED BAIL, BUT HE COULD NOT MEET THE BAIL CONDITIONS DUE TO FINANCIAL CONSTRAINTS.

Calling on governments and policy makers to ensure protection of lives of inmates and also prioritize their well being.

JANGBOL INNOCENTLY SPENT 5 MONTHS IN PRISON AWAITING TRIAL.

“No person shall be arrested in lieu of any other person.” Arresting Jangbol instead of the seller, when it was clear the money was transferred to the seller, is illegal and a violation of Nanglir’s fundamental human rights.

GIFT SPENT 4 MONTHS IN PRISON BEFORE PERFECTING HER BAIL, AS SHE WAS ARRESTED IN PLACE OF THE OFFENDER.

a sales representative, charged in court for stealing and the court granted her bail but couldn't perfect the bail conditions until after spending four months in prison awaiting trial. 

OLAYEMI SPENT EIGHT MONTHS IN PRISON WITHOUT ANY CONTACT WITH HIS FAMILY OR LEGAL REPRESENTATION.

Our intervention at Headfort Foundation led to perfecting Olayemi's Bail condition and ensuring his freedom. Two years after, the case against his was struck out.

TWO WEEKS IN PRISON BASED ON A REPORT FROM HIS OWN BIOLOGICAL BROTHER.

Our intervention and legal aid led to the prompt release of Taye from prison

JOHN SPENT 6 YEARS IN PRISON WITHOUT TRIAL OR CONVICTION.

DAVID REGAINS HIS FREEDOM AFTER 7 MONTHS OF WRONGFUL INCARCERATION.

A caterer from Kogi State, had his life turned upside down when in May 2022, he unknowingly purchased a stolen phone for 25,000 naira.

GRAVE INJUSTICE AGAINST LUCKY BY THE POLICE - SPENT 5 YEARS IN PRISON WITHOUT JUST CAUSE

Lucky was 26 years old when he was arrested at Ajegunle in April 2017 during a series of raids by the police...

Left Cote D'Ivoire to Set up His Business in Nigeria But Ended up Spending 7 Months in Prison

Emmanuel Uba is a 36 year old Trader from Imo state, Nigeria. He left Cote D'Ivoire to set up his business in Nigeria but ended up spending 7 months in prison

Arrested for not stopping unknown persons who ran by him.

Wrongly accused of stealing mobile phone that was later recovered elsewhere

Mistake in Address got them Charged to Court for Wrongful Entry

Charged to Court for a broken Louvre

Godswill Regains Freedom After Awaiting Trial For 11 Years And 7 Months.

Wasiu regains freedom after 4 years in custody

Femi went to recover his seized bus but ended up in prison

Kayode regains freedom after 7 months in custody.

TWO YEARS IN CUSTODY FOR NO JUST CAUSE!

Yauba spent 2 years and 2 months in custody for wearing camouflage face cap

He was placed on trial for an offence committed by someone else.

Wrongfully arrested and charged before a Magistrate court, mistakenly taken to a High court as the defendant for another case.

HOW EMEKA WAS A VICTIM OF UNLAWFUL RAID

the police officers informed him that before he would be released, he must pay a specific amount and he told the officers that he has no such amount. When the police noticed he was not cooperating, he was charged amongst others to Court for Stealing ...

HOW UYI; A TRUCK DRIVER WAS FALSELY CHARGE FOR STEALING

Uyi, before getting to the station and while at the station kept saying he was not among those who came to rob but was on his way to pick his truck and go about his business, as he is a truck driver but all explanations met a brick wall

HOW YUSUF, SULEIMAN AND TOHEEB WERE FALSELY CHARGED TO COURT FOR CONSPIRACY, ARSON AND ROBBERY

At the Police Station, these three young men met each other for the first time and all explanations by them to the police that they never partook in the protest fell on deaf ears.

HOW HAPPY WAS ARRESTED AND DETAINED FOR TRUCK DAMAGE

Happy was on his way back to Lagos after delivering goods outside Lagos on the 13th of September 2020 when he had a fatal accident at Olowora Road.

HOW ABAYOMI, MAYOWA AND STANLEY WERE FALSELY CHARGED FOR ARMED ROBBERY

At the Police Station, these three young men met each other for the first time. They also met one Lateef at the police station. Lateef identified Abayomi, Mayowa and Stanley as part of his gang who carried out a series of robberies within the area

DAVID EXPERIENCE IN PRISON AS A RESULT OF UNLAWFUL ARREST

David not knowing that the person who was holding him was a police officer in mufti, started fighting and struggling with the officer to get his freedom off the restraint

HOW ALIYU AND QUADRI FELL VICTIMS OF AN UNPROFESSIONAL ARREST

At the Police station, Aliyu and Quadri met each other for the first time, and both tried explaining that they were not part of those who partook in the carnival, but their explanations fell on deaf ears.

HOW TIJANI AND SAMSON FELL VICTIMS OF AN UNPROFESSIONAL RAIDING

Both tried explaining that they were tired at the day's job and wanted to rest a bit before going home but fell asleep in the process, but to their dismay, they were asked to get into the police vehicle, and driven to the police station

HOW DOMINIC WAS CHARGED TO COURT FOR FIGHTING WITH A SECURITY OFFICER

Dominic was scared to follow him into the estate because he did not know what could happen. While they were both arguing, fight ensued between the both of them, the security officer injured Dominic with the matchet he was holding during the fight...

THE STORY OF UGOCHUKWU PEACE & AMANEGBU IKECHUKWU

The allegation was strange to them both, and the police would not release them on bail until they paid N20,000. They both could not afford the said amount hence they spent 3 days at the police

She was unjustly detained because she stood as guarantor for her friend who allegedly stole jewelleries

They were tortured to the extent that Alice became mentally unstable and few days after, they were charged to court for stealing.

Angry Complainant abandoned him at the mercy of Police Officers over a breach of contract

I was left in awe when i was taken to Court the next day after writing an undertaking to pay back the money owed.

ILLEGAL RAIDING BY SARS OFFICIALS STRIPPED KABIRU AND ABDULLAHI FREEDOM FOR THIRTY-FOUR MONTHS.

They gave us guns to hold so they can take a snap shot, we were beaten when we refused to hold the guns

VICTIM OF POLICE BRUTALITY SPENT TWENTY MONTHS ON UNJUST IMPRISONMENT

My father told me to keep on praying as there was nothing they could do to get me out of custody.

JONAH STAYED EXTRA 4 YEARS IN PRISON BEFORE RELEASE

At about 8pm, he stepped out to pee and while on it, someone grabbed him from behind and two other persons joined in pulling him down. They hit him on the head to weaken him. He realized from the shirts they had on that they were police officers.

SAMUEL SPENT SIX MONTHS IN PRISON OVER 5 LITERS OF DIESEL

He was hardworking and had no issues with his employer until August 2020 when his employer found five liters of diesel in his possession.

YUSUF SPENT 22 MONTHS IN PRISON FOR A CRIME HE KNOWS NOTHING ABOUT.

Our lawyer discovered that the prosecution did not have any evidence or witness to prove the case against the two teens

UCHE REGAINS HIS FREEDOM AFTER SPENDING 2 YEARS IN PRISON OVER A PHONE DISPUTE.

The police warned Uche that he would face court charges if he could not pay the N10,000 bail fee.

ABU WAS WRONGFULLY IMPRISONED FOR 1 YEAR AND 8 MONTHS AFTER FAILED PROSECUTION AND INCOMPLETE WITNESS TESTIMONY.

In April, 2019, the Baale's son came with police to arrest him on the basis that he was part of those who stole a bike. He was taken to SARS office and later charged to court for stealing a motorcycle. The court remanded him in Kirikiri.

MECHANIC WRONGFULLY ARRESTED AND CHARGED WITH VEHICLE THEFT DESPITE LACK OF EVIDENCE.

Tragically, he was detained without any details until January 10th—three months after his arrest—when he was finally called to provide his statement.

YAHAYA WAS WRONGFULLY CHARGED WITH STEALING A TRICYCLE.

Without warning, the passenger beside him slammed on the brakes, while the two passengers behind restrained him and violently assaulted him, then took off with the tricycle.

21 MONTHS BEHIND BARS FOR A DISPUTE THAT COULD HAVE BEEN RESOLVED PEACEFULLY.

Though the court granted him bail. However, he couldn't perfect the bail being the only breadwinner of his family with school-age kids, causing a great constraints on his finances. And since July 2019, he had been remanded in prison.

DRIVER STEPS AWAY FOR A SNACK—RETURNS TO FIND BOSS’S CAR HAS VANISHED.

Unaware of his girlfriend's malicious intention, Victor stepped out of the car to buy something and before he knew it, the lady drove away with the car leaving him with no clue or means of reaching out to her.

THE STRUGGLE OF SIX INNOCENT MEN WRONGFULLY IMPRISONED BY SARS RAID.

They have been in prison since December 2019 and couldn't even afford to pay lawyers anymore. Though at the initial stage, their family members tried to help them but the financial responsibilities were overwhelming.

THE STORY OF ADEWALE, A BUS DRIVER THAT BATTLES FOR JUSTICE

We contacted his family members and started taking steps towards perfecting his bail. DPP advice came out in February where it stated that 6 of the 11 defendants should be released and the remaining 5 should be charged for cultism.

STUDENT WRONGFULLY JAILED OVER FAKE CURRENCY.

The three months i spent in prison destabilized my business. i am thankful to Headfort Foundation for believing in me and helping me to freedom.

FROM STRANGERS TO CELLMATE: THE STORY OF AYOMIDE AND TUNDE'S UNJUST DETENTION.

thank you to Headfort Foundation. We would have spent a new year in prison if it wasn't for their intervention

UNJUSTLY ACCUSSSED MEN CHARGED FOR STEALING A CAR BATTERY.

we are grateful to headfort Foundation for believing in our story and helping us to secure freedom

TOTAL STRANGERS CHARGED FOR CULTISM

Headfort Foundation assisted us when we couldn't even afford a lawyer. They helped us to enjoy what it means to be free again. we will forever be grateful

FROM CLOSE OF WORK TO PRISON

i was only trying to board a bus home when they arrested me. i am very grateful to Headfort Foundation for helping me to secure my release for free

I BOUGHT GOOD FROM SOMEONE WITHOUT REALISING THEY WERE STOLEN GOODS

I spent a year in prison for purchasing goods which i had no idea was stolen. Headfort Foundation listened to my story in prison and since then have made efforts to secure my release.

FROM WORK TO PRISON.

Headfort Foundation assisted us when we couldn't even afford a lawyer. They helped us to enjoy what it means to be free again. we will forever be grateful

YOU WONT BELIEVE SOMEONE WAS CHARGED FOR HIDING IN A DARK PLACE

I am very grateful to Headfort Foundation. none of my family members were aware i was in prison, i couldn't remember any number to contact. They secured my freedom for free and i was able to reunite my family.

HOW I SPENT A YEAR IN PRISON OVER A BURNT GENERATOR COIL.

I never knew that trying to make ends meet decently could cost me a year of my life in prison. Thanks to Headfort Foundation that believed me and assisted me to secure my freedom. its a deed i shall never forget.

INNOCENT LIVES DISRUPTED: HOW DAUDA, GBENGA, DOKUN, AND AHMED SPENT 5 MONTHS IN JAIL OVER BASELESS CULTISM CHARGES.

we are grateful for Headfort foundation because one has to be careful trying to go about with their daily lives.

FROM MY HOUSE TO THE POLICE VAN

how i landed in the police van and latter in the prison is still a big surprise to me

HOW DARE'S SEARCH FOR OPPORTUNITIES TURNED INTO A 5-MONTH NIGHTMARE.

I wished i did not wake up that day because my only offence was waking up to go to work

11 MONTHS BEHIND BAR FOR AN HARMLESS STROLL.

My offence was walking on my street.

FROM WRONGFUL ARREST TO FREEDOM

I was not allowed to go even though there was no case against me. All thanks to Headfort Foundation for coming to my rescue

SEVEN MONTHS IN PRISON WITHOUT TRIAL

I was at the mercy of the prosecutor because I could not afford a lawyer

LAGOS VISIT ENDS IN WRONGFUL DETENTION.

Sanni pleaded with the police officers to let him go and even gave account of how and why he was at the bus-stop. All his pleadings and explanations fell on deaf ears

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