Mr. Douglas Ogbankwa, a former Publicity Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), has stated that no law exists in Nigeria that provides for special treatment of inmates. He emphasized that while certain circumstances might warrant exceptions, the law treats all individuals in custody equally.
“There is no law giving special treatment to anybody in custody. The only two genders recognized by our Nigerian law are the male gender and the female gender,” Ogbankwa explained. He further highlighted that Nigerian law explicitly prohibits practices related to the Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) community, citing the anti-gay law enacted in 2014, which received broad support from the public.
In support of Ogbankwa’s remarks, Lagos-based lawyer Mr. Kehinde Nubi noted that both local and international laws enshrine the principle of equality for all individuals. He stated, “This implies that there should be no discriminatory or preferential treatment regarding how prisoners are treated.”
However, Nubi acknowledged that inmates with specific needs might require accommodations to ensure their safety and the safety of others. “Such considered status may lead to such inmates being seemingly prioritized,” he added, emphasizing the importance of maintaining security while addressing individual needs.