The Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC) has secured the release of more than 60 convicted detainees after paying fines totaling over ₦5 million, as part of its efforts to decongest correctional facilities across several Nigerian states.
PPDC’s Chief Executive Officer, Lucy Abagi, disclosed this during the 2025 Access to Justice Parley in Abuja, themed “Justice, Security, and Governance: A Unified Agenda for Nigeria’s Sustainable Development.”
She said the initiative reflects PPDC’s commitment to building a fair, transparent, and accountable justice system that delivers for every Nigerian.
Abagi revealed that under its Court Administration and Case Management Initiative, PPDC equipped 24 courts across Kaduna, Nasarawa, Plateau, Ebonyi, and Oyo States with speech-to-text technology, enabling faster and more efficient court proceedings.
READ ALSO: PTAD Disburses ₦5.12bn in Pension Arrears to 90,689 Retirees
Through its Reforming Pretrial Detention Project (Phase II), the organisation provided free legal aid to over 20,000 detainees, leading to the release of 8,552 individuals who had been unlawfully detained without trial. In addition, the Police Duty Solicitors Scheme, now active in 50 police stations, provides suspects with immediate legal assistance at the point of arrest.
Abagi also highlighted PPDC’s digital justice milestones, including the upgrade of Correctional Information Systems in 16 custodial centers, the launch of an electronic filing and case management system with the FCT Judiciary, and a digital case monitoring tool developed in partnership with the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria (LACON).
So far, PPDC has facilitated 2,370 virtual court sessions, distributed 3,000 copies of ACJA policy manuals, and trained 1,746 judges, prosecutors, and investigators to improve justice delivery nationwide.
She emphasized: “We are building a justice system that is transparent, data-driven, and human-centered. What we have achieved so far is only the beginning of the transformation Nigeria deserves.”
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) commended PPDC’s leadership, with Melissa Omena, Head of Justice, Integrity, and Health Unit, describing the initiative as a model for sustainable reform.
READ ALSO: Investors Gain over N7trn in One Month as Market Cap Nears N100trn Mark
Officials from the Nigerian Correctional Service, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), and Nigerian Law Reform Commission (NLRC) also praised the organisation’s contributions, urging continued collaboration among civil society, government, and international partners to ensure that justice reforms deliver real impact for Nigerians.
Professor Dakas Dakas, SAN, CEO of the Law Reform Commission, called PPDC’s work “a benchmark for digital justice innovation in Africa,” emphasising that technology, accountability, and human rights protection must go hand in hand to achieve sustainable justice reform.
Esther Ososanya is an investigative journalist with Pinnacle Daily, reporting across health, business, environment, metro, Fct and crime. Known for her bold, empathetic storytelling, she uncovers hidden truths, challenges broken systems, and gives voice to overlooked Nigerians. Her work drives national conversations and demands accountability one powerful story at a time.
