Seven out of the 20 countries globally grappling with high pretrial detention rates are located in Africa.

The practice of pretrial detention contradicts the principles of fair trials and the prompt dispensation of justice. Particularly unsettling is the longstanding tradition that has transformed into a pattern of intentionally imprisoning suspects for extended periods under the guise of pretrial detention.

Despite earnest efforts to curtail pretrial detention and alleviate overcrowding, Nigeria's numbers continue to rise. Presently, a staggering 70% of inmates in Nigeria await trial, contributing to an occupancy rate of 136.7%.

Through our Access to Justice program, we engage with financially disadvantaged individuals within various detention or correctional centers, providing crucial legal aid services. Our focus extends to representing children in conflict with the law, women, individuals wrongly accused, and those who have suffered human rights violations at the hands of criminal justice actors

Headfort Foundation's Lawyers Without Borders project is transforming the lives of countless individuals affected by human rights abuses in Nigeria. With the approval of the Chief Judge of State and collaboration with state judiciary, we have established mobile offices within court premises, enabling us to station pro bono human rights lawyers who tirelessly represent and defend victims of human rights abuse free of charge. This project encompasses victims of all demographics, including children, women, and men, ensuring no one is left behind in the pursuit of justice. Since its inception in 2020, our project has expanded to six court premises across four states in Nigeria, making our services accessible to a larger population in need. The urgent need for our intervention is driven by the alarming rate at which Nigeria's prisons are burdened by a staggering 75% of awaiting trial inmates who are unable to afford legal representation. Through our efforts, we have successfully helped over 600 individuals secure their freedom, significantly alleviating the congestion plaguing these facilities. With this project, we effectively address the key issues of inaccessibility and unaffordability that hinder victims of human rights abuses from seeking legal assistance. Our project bridges the gap between impoverished individuals and quality legal representation, empowering them with the means to assert their rights and seek justice.

Worldwide, the pervasive issue of police brutality has become increasingly normalized, with numerous cases of extrajudicial killings being reported. This stark reality was glaringly evident in October 2020 when Nigerian youths took to the streets, demanding the disbandment of the police unit known as SARS, resulting in the #EndSARS hashtag trending at number one globally for several weeks. While the unit was eventually disbanded, this did not bring an end to police brutality.

Headfort Foundation experienced a significant surge in reports of police brutality, extortion, arbitrary arrests, and harassment, both online and offline. This pressing issue prompted the development of the “Lawyers NowNow” App. Conceived as a digital extension of the Lawyers without Border project, the Lawyers NowNow App serves as an inclusive platform, allowing every indigent person to access justice anywhere in Nigeria without discrimination. Available for download on Appstore and Google playstore, the app can also be used on behalf of another person.

The application automatically connects users to the lawyer nearest to their location, facilitating contact via phone calls, SMS, or WhatsApp messages. Upon receiving a user's request, the lawyer is notified and commits to attending to the user free of charge. The app since launch in April 2021 has resolved over 360 cases through legal advice, legal service, mediation, and litigation. One major objective of the app is to facilitate access to justice from the roots of the criminal justice system, recognizing that most human rights abuses occur between arrest and the time of legal representation. The app aims to shorten this crucial time frame, ensuring swift and effective legal intervention.

The Justice Corner Project is a transformative initiative poised to provide access to justice within Nigeria's local open market communities. By establishing mediation centers within local open markets, this project aims to empower market women by providing accessible and free legal support, fostering harmony, and bolstering economic stability.

At the core of this initiative is the provision of pro bono legal services facilitated by trained lawyers. These legal professionals and mediators will mediate and skillfully resolve disputes that commonly arise amongst market women. Additionally, the project seeks to educate and equip these individuals with vital knowledge on proper documentation, contracting, and compliance with regulatory authorities.

This multifaceted approach not only resolves immediate conflicts but also empowers market women with the tools to navigate legal intricacies independently. By embedding these centers within the heart of local markets, the project aims to cultivate a culture of peace and cooperation. It serves as a beacon of equitable justice, fostering an environment where fairness and legality are not elusive ideals but tangible realities.

In our unwavering commitment to fostering positive change, we actively adopt an approach centered on transforming the criminal justice system in Nigeria. Recognizing the critical role that a robust and effective legal framework plays in ensuring justice, we at Headfort Foundation strategically focus on initiatives that facilitate systemic change.

While our approach to access to justice is deeply people-driven, understanding that individuals are at the heart of any justice system, we go beyond immediate interventions. Headfort recognizes that addressing the root causes of issues within the criminal justice system is paramount for sustainable change. Therefore, we design and implement projects specifically tailored to instigate systemic changes.

By addressing systemic challenges within the criminal justice system, Headfort Foundation aims to create lasting impact, ensuring that the legal framework is not only accessible but also equitable and responsive to the needs of all citizens. This approach involves advocating for legislative reforms, policy changes, and institutional improvements that will contribute to a more just and fair system.

The LEAT project seeks to directly address the root causes of police brutality and extortion. By providing comprehensive training programs, it aims to foster a better understanding among Nigerian law enforcement agents on the need to enforce the law while respecting human rights and maintaining public trust. Through this training, the project enhances professionalism, accountability, and ethical conduct within the law enforcement agencies. The LEAT project equips police officers with a deep understanding of their pivotal role in upholding human rights and maintaining public safety within the boundaries of the law. By teaching effective community policing strategies, LEAT aims to rebuild trust between law enforcement agents and the Nigerian people, creating a conducive environment for dialogue and cooperation.

Tech Behind Bars" project aimed at equipping inmates with essential tech skills to enhance their employability post-incarceration. Aligned with the overarching goals of rehabilitation, reintegration, and reformation of the correctional service, this project is strategically crafted to bridge the digital divide and foster positive change within the prison institution in Nigeria. The primary objective of the "Tech Behind Bars" project is to provide inmates with practical and relevant tech skills, ensuring they are well-prepared to enter the job market upon their release. By cultivating employability, the project seeks to empower individuals to rebuild their lives post-incarceration.

With emphasis on reintegration, the project addresses the challenges faced by ex-inmates in transitioning back into society. By imparting tech skills, the project aims to break down societal barriers, promoting a smoother and more successful reintegration process for individuals returning to their communities.

Beyond individual empowerment, the "Tech Behind Bars" project contributes to the overall effectiveness of the correctional service in Nigeria. By incorporating technology into the rehabilitation process, the project aligns with global trends in correctional practices, ensuring that the system remains dynamic and responsive to the evolving needs of society.

Through strategic effort and collaborations, Headfort Foundation aims to create positive change and improve the lives of individuals and communities marginalized by oppressive systems. At the core of our initiative is the belief that every person, regardless of their gender, or socioeconomic status, deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. We strive to raise awareness about human rights violations and support individuals who are victims of human rights abuses.

Through our programs, we provide awareness on human rights issues and we are committed to advancing human rights. We are focused on legal advocacy, community education, policy reform, and capacity building. To ensure effective and impactful interventions, Headfort Foundation actively collaborates with like-minded organizations and stakeholders. We believe that by pooling resources and expertise, we can amplify our collective efforts and initiate lasting change. Through these partnerships, we facilitate knowledge sharing, encourage innovation, and establish networks that enhance the effectiveness of the human rights advocacy movement. In line with our commitment to clear and concise language, we strive to communicate our mission, goals, and impact in a manner that is easily understood by all stakeholders. We avoid using jargon and technical terms that may exclude or confuse individuals, as we recognize that effective communication is essential for mobilizing support and achieving our objectives.

Police brutality has unfortunately become a pervasive issue in Nigeria, particularly affecting the numerous uneducated citizens who not only face physical abuse but are also coerced into writing self-incriminating statements at police stations. This practice often leads to unjust incarcerations, contributing to the overcrowding of prisons. In response to this pressing concern, Headfort Foundation launched the My Rights, My Freedom project, aiming to reduce the levels of legal ignorance among Nigerians.

This initiative addresses language barriers, focusing on human rights education, the root causes of police brutality, and the factors contributing to the high number of awaiting trial inmates in Nigerian Correctional Centres. The project ensures that citizens, irrespective of their language proficiency, are included, informed, and sensitized in a language they understand. Through this awareness, participants gain the ability to make informed decisions regarding their fundamental human rights.

The project seeks to educate Nigerians on their fundamental human rights within the legal framework, emphasizing the necessary steps to take before, during, and after being apprehended by the police. This knowledge empowers citizens to navigate the legal system effectively, securing their freedom and, consequently, alleviating the congestion in Nigerian prisons.

To facilitate understanding, we simplified Chapter IV of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which addresses human rights of the citizens and translated it into the four indigenous languages, Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba and Pidgin. This material is employed in sensitization sessions targeting artisans, communities, senior secondary school students, youths and inmates. Sensitization is done via workshops, seminars, traditional and social media, town hall meetings and symposium

In Nigeria, the issue of child incarceration has emerged as a pressing concern that demands urgent attention. Headfort Foundation, through its steadfast advocacy efforts, is championing a cause aimed at ending the practice of incarcerating children and ushering in comprehensive reforms in the juvenile justice system. The current juvenile justice system in Nigeria often leads to the overrepresentation of children in detention facilities. Many find themselves entangled in the legal system without adequate consideration for their age, vulnerabilities, and the specific needs of their developmental stage.

There is a lack of robust legal safeguards designed to protect the rights of children within the justice system. Inappropriate legal procedures, coupled with limited access to legal representation and support, exacerbate the challenges faced by children entangled in legal processes.Some children, instead of being provided with rehabilitative and restorative measures, receive harsh sentences that may not consider their potential for rehabilitation. This punitive approach often leads to a perpetuation of the cycle of criminality rather than addressing the root causes of juvenile delinquency.

Headfort Foundation actively engages in awareness campaigns to highlight the detrimental effects of child incarceration. Through media outreach, community forums, and educational programs, we endeavors to foster a deeper understanding of the need for reform in the Nigeria juvenile justice system.

Headfort Foundation employs legal advocacy to challenge unjust legal practices and advocate for the rights of children within the justice system. This includes efforts to revise legislation, introduce age-appropriate legal procedures, and promote alternatives to incarceration. Our advocacy initiative seeks to shift the focus of the juvenile justice system from punitive measures to rehabilitation and reformation. Headfort Foundation envisions enhanced legal protections for children in conflict with the law. This includes advocating for the incorporation of international standards on juvenile justice into national legislation, ensuring that the rights of children are prioritized. Through systemic reforms, our initiative strives to contribute to a significant reduction in juvenile recidivism rates. By addressing the root causes of delinquency and providing rehabilitative measures, we aim to create a justice system that supports the positive development of young individuals.