Nursing mother detained over unpaid fine in Jigawa regains freedom
A 22-year-old nursing mother has regained her freedom from the Garki Correctional Centre in Jigawa State following the intervention of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Women’s Wing, which paid her
A 22-year-old nursing mother has regained her freedom from the Garki Correctional Centre in Jigawa State following the intervention of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Women’s Wing, which paid her court-imposed fine.
The woman, whose identity was not disclosed, had been remanded in custody after failing to pay a fine imposed by a court. She reportedly spent about two months in detention, during which she gave birth and remained in custody with her newborn.
Her situation came to light when members of the NLC Women’s Wing, Jigawa State chapter, visited the facility as part of activities marking the 2026 International Women’s Day.
The Chairperson of the group, Comrade Salma Ilyasu Abubakar, said the team was compelled to act after discovering the inmate with her two-month-old baby.
“Upon enquiry, we discovered that she was detained for failing to pay a court-imposed fine. During her stay, she gave birth in custody,” Abubakar said.
She added that the union immediately engaged a lawyer to facilitate the legal process, which led to the payment of the fine and the woman’s release.
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Abubakar, however, expressed concern over the poor conditions in correctional centres, describing them as deplorable and in urgent need of intervention.
Also speaking, Comrade Sirko noted that several inmates are held for minor civil offences that could be resolved without custodial measures.
The NLC Women’s Wing called on judicial officers to exercise greater discretion, particularly in cases involving pregnant women and minor offences, by considering non-custodial alternatives.
The group reaffirmed its commitment to continued visits to correctional facilities and urged organisations to support initiatives aimed at assisting vulnerable inmates, especially women with special conditions.
