Outrage as Kuje Correctional Center Refuses to Admit Blind Man Convicted for Rape
Abuja, Nigeria – The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) is facing backlash following the shocking rejection of a blind man, Mr. Anthony Omoha Egwu, who was convicted of rape and sentenced to 12 years imprisonment. The incident, which has sparked widespread condemnation from human rights groups and disability advocates, raises serious concerns about the country’s commitment to inclusive justice and compliance with disability rights laws.
A Convict Without a Prison: The Unfolding Drama
Mr. Anthony Omoha Egwu, a native of Benue State, was convicted on December 19, 2024, and was supposed to begin his sentence at the Kuje Correctional Center in Abuja. However, in what many have described as an outright violation of human rights, the management of the correctional center refused to accept him, citing a lack of facilities to accommodate persons with disabilities.
Sources revealed that after his rejection at Kuje Prison, he was taken back into the custody of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), where he remains to date. However, NAPTIP is not a correctional facility, raising serious legal and ethical concerns about where he will serve his sentence.
This rejection not only exposes systemic gaps in Nigeria’s prison system but also contradicts multiple assurances made by the Nigerian Correctional Service in engagements with the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) and various Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs). NCoS had repeatedly claimed that its facilities across the country are accessible to inmates with disabilities—a claim that has now been called into question.
Violation of Disability Rights and International Treaties
The rejection of a blind convict due to a lack of accessibility is a direct violation of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018, which mandates that all public institutions, including correctional centers, must be made accessible to persons with disabilities.
Additionally, Nigeria is a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) and the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights, both of which emphasize the right to equal treatment and non-discrimination. By failing to provide accessible prison facilities, Nigerian Correctional Service is not only breaching national law but also flouting international obligations.
Human rights advocates argue that rejecting Mr. Anthony on the basis of his disability sets a dangerous precedent. If correctional facilities cannot accommodate persons with disabilities, it implies that justice is selective, and certain individuals cannot serve their sentences due to systemic negligence.
A Call for Urgent Action
Disability rights groups, legal experts, and advocacy organizations are now calling on the House of Representatives Committee on Disabilities and the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) to urgently intervene in this case.
“This is an embarrassment to Nigeria’s justice system. If the Correctional Service claims its facilities are accessible, why is a blind convict being rejected? Where is he supposed to serve his time? Keeping him at NAPTIP indefinitely is unlawful,” said a disability rights advocate who preferred to remain anonymous.
The situation has put NAPTIP in an awkward position, as the agency is not mandated to hold convicted persons. The longer Mr. Anthony remains in its custody, the more legal questions arise regarding whether he is truly serving his sentence or simply stranded due to institutional failure.
“This is a wake-up call for Nigeria. The correctional system must immediately make provisions for PWD inmates, or else we will continue to see more cases of rejected convicts,” a legal expert added.
The Bigger Picture: Disability and the Justice System in Nigeria
Mr. Anthony’s case is not just an isolated incident—it highlights a deeper systemic issue regarding the treatment of persons with disabilities in the justice system. From inaccessible courtrooms to correctional centers that lack facilities for disabled inmates, the entire system is riddled with barriers.
The Nigerian Correctional Service must act swiftly to address this crisis. Experts recommend:
- Immediate Admission of Mr. Anthony Omoha Egwu – Authorities must ensure that he is transferred to a proper correctional facility where he can serve his sentence without discrimination.
- Urgent Accessibility Reforms in Prisons – The Federal Government must conduct a comprehensive audit of all correctional centers to identify gaps and implement necessary modifications to make them accessible.
- Policy Enforcement and Accountability – The House of Representatives Committee on Disabilities should conduct hearings to hold NCoS accountable for failing to comply with the Disability Act.
- Training for Correctional Officers – Prison officials must undergo training on disability inclusion to prevent future occurrences of discriminatory rejections.
Justice Must Be Served Without Discrimination
The essence of the justice system is to ensure that all individuals—regardless of their physical ability—are treated equally under the law. By rejecting a convict due to his disability, the Nigerian Correctional Service has cast doubt on its commitment to fairness and equal treatment.
As Mr. Anthony remains in legal limbo at NAPTIP, all eyes are now on the Federal Government, lawmakers, and human rights organizations to take decisive action. This case has not only exposed Nigeria’s inadequate prison facilities but has also reignited conversations on whether the nation is truly committed to upholding the rights of persons with disabilities.
The Nigerian Correctional Service has an obligation to “do the needful,” ensuring that all correctional facilities meet the standards required by the Disability Act and international treaties. Until then, the question remains: How many more persons with disabilities will be turned away from justice due to a lack of accessibility?
