The case of Blessing Effiong, a 20-year-old inmate awaiting trial at the female section of Kirikiri Prisons, Lagos, perhaps typifies the injustice suffered by the poor in the Nigerian society.
The Akwa-Ibom indigene, who was interviewed by the Attorney-General of the state, Mr. Ade Ipaye, and representatives of the Office of the Public Defender, during a visit to the prisons to evaluate the number of awaiting trial persons there, narrated in detail how she had been incarcerated since the age of 16 because she could not afford the services of a lawyer.
She said, “In 2008, I bought a Starcomms phone for N10,000 in order to start a business centre. A few days later, a man called me and said the phone was stolen from him. I told the man I didn’t know it was stolen. We had an agreement that I should return the phone and he would refund my money.
“I gave the man my address but when he got to my place, he said the phone was stolen from him along with his laptop and some other vital documents. He accused me of being a thief, called the police and had me arrested. I was charged with robbery and have been in Kirikiri since then as my trial has yet to begin.”
Effiong said she was arrested at her guardian’s house in Ebute-Meta but was transferred to the Agboju Police Division from where she was taken to an Ikeja Magistrate’s Court.
She said although she was 16 at the time of her arrest, the Investigating Police Officer claimed she was 21 so that she would be tried as an adult
“I told the IPO that I was only 16 years old and that I knew nothing about the stolen phone but the IPO wrote 21 on my statement and claimed I was lying about my age. I was arraigned as an adult,” she said.
Effiong added that even after four years, her trial had not begun as the court was said to be awaiting advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions.

egift: This is totally unacceptable. Guess what, in many police cells, there may be worst cases than this. And yet others stealing billions without a pinch.

Is there a way she can get any form of compensation too?

born2fuck: The major 4 pillars destroying this country are 1.police 2.boko haram 3.goverment 4.phcn

Tropilo: Aha! After listening to her story, what did the state AG do? Nothing?

chucky234: Sometimes I wish I was never born a Nigerian,this is unheard of and a disgrace to this country.
Policemen who are pure illiterate always insist on writing statements for their prey so as to influence and control cases completely to guarantee financial settlement that will enrich their pockets.
People steal billions of Naira on a daily basis yet roam the street freely but a 16 year was left in Kirikiri prison for four Godly years,one God knows how many times she must have abused/molested by those prison wardens as well as older inmates.
Whatever handled the case and the judge that sentence such a young girl to the worst prison should be made to face the music for this injustice,its about time this government begin to do things right starting with this girls's case.

Opoki: Bode George who stole Billions was covicted within the shortest time and now he's out in town while this poor girl was accussed and left to suffer unduly just because of meagre amount of money! I can't imagine all sort of molestation she must have gone through in the last 4yrs from the prison wardens.

born2fuck: The major 4 pillars destroying this country are 1.police 2.boko haram 3.goverment 4.phcn

guru01:
http://africacnn..com/2012/04/girl-in-detention-for-four-years-over.html

abioila: You only get convicted in Nigeria when you don't steal enough money to bribe those fools in power!!so if you want to steal start from like $1B.

snthesis:
lesson learnt- steal big