Two hours as a ‘prisoner’

  SEYI SOKOYA writes that behind the high walls of the Agodi Minimum Security Prison in Ibadan lies a totally different world from what obtains outside. It is also a familiar world, where inmates live in overcrowded cells, among other experiences.

AGODI area of Ibadan, is a paradox. Situated in Ibadan North East Local Government Area of Oyo State, it symbolises power, elevation on the one hand and captivity and dishonour on the other. On  a small hill overlooking a significant portion of Ibadan is the Government House, the seat of power in the state. It is also called Agodi-Oke (Top Agodi).

A few metres to the Government House is another large enclave. Like the seat of power, its high wall portrays a fortress where the inhabitants also enjoy maximum security. Interestingly, this fortress also enjoys some form of obscurity as the popular Agodi spare parts market has masked it entirely. This other Agodi also enjoys its own notoriety as the government minimum security prison, otherwise called Agodi-Isale or roughly translated to mean Agodi-below.

The paradox is sometimes exploited by some people. At a point in time in the politics of the state, a sitting governor’s attempting to go for a second term in office  was told that his  return would be to the Agodi- Isale, that he would suffer the ignominy of serving terms in prison rather than enjoying the plush lifestyles of the Government House.

Sunday Tribune was part of a recent facility tour by a Non-governmental organisation to the Agodi prison. This particular prison is different because unlike other prisons which are often isolated from residential areas and other settlements, it is right inside a market and while inside, one could clearly pick conversations from all around.

On this particular day as Sunday Tribune and others on the visit approached the main gate of the prison, about 10 prisoners were on sanitation duties, cleaning the high wall surroundings and supervised by some wardens. Not too long after, after they had finished the assignment,  they were ushered into the prison. But as they were being led in, the prisoners started begging for alms from passersby and those visiting their relations.

The visitors too, in an attempt to gain the favour of prison officials, had brought some “kola”  to have an ease of passage. The entry procedure was two people coming in at a time. The food items brought by relatives of some inmates were scrutinised, while sensitive gadgets, including handsets submitted by visitors, were placed on a wooden table like second-hand phones on display for sale.

Inside the prison walls, it was a different world entirely. The loud bang of the giant green gate as it was shut would jolt anyone to the reality that inside the large enclave, the gate had been shut firmly against freedom. This feeling was mutual for all the visitors, especially other media professionals on the tour as they were subjected to thorough screening.

“You are not allowed to go into the prison with your phones or any recording gadgets,” one of the officials said.

Without any further argument, the journalists who still have their gadgets with them submitted everything, including a precious golden pen that was initially mistaken to be an electronic recorder, but which was later released to the owner after it was ascertained by the wardens to be harmless.

After passing through the second giant gate with the same ominous sound, and left with only a jotter and pen, the thought that came to Sunday Tribune correspondent is “now you are in prison.”

The first structure that confronted our team was a mosque in the middle of two blocks of cells. While walking down the aisle, figures of men of different sizes and shapes came into view. There were other cell blocks with names such as H1, Freedom cell, S.C., B4, Sentry C, Freedom At last, among others.

At the venue of the event that brought Sunday Tribune to the prison, which was discovered to be the worship centre for Christian inmates, a sea of heads, all clad in blue uniform came into view. Sunday Tribune was shocked to find such a huge number of prisoners all in one place.  The hall was filled with old and young people of different complexions and ethnic backgrounds. Some were moody, while some were in high spirit. An aged man was seen looking dejected and isolated from all activities of the day.

It was clear that the inmates were not missing out on sports as well. Sunday Tribune overheard an inmate and an officer discussing the arrangement for the final match of their football competition.

With the stories of appalling conditions  of prisons in the country, Sunday Tribune had expected an environment clearly in a mess and filled with stench but was hugely disappointed. The prison yard  was very neat, especially the walkways.

An inmate with a neck brace seated at the entrance of the mosque drew the attention of the officers and guests at the event with his pathetic condition, hoping for divine mercy. His hope was, however, dashed as the head of the team advised him to continue to seek the face of God for his freedom.

“Please, have mercy on me. I still have ample number of years to serve here. I am in pains. My family is in disarray. My son is struggling to survive in the higher institution and my wife has divorced me,” he had lamented.

• Leaders arrive US to honour George HW Bush

Another young prisoner, who was seen begging for alms, hinted that he still has 15 years to serve out of his 25 years jail term. Effort to know his offence proved abortive as Sunday Tribune was not allowed to have a chat with any inmate.

The tour did not end without visiting the female yard; there were about 15 of them. There were the young and old; the pretty and others of different body shapes and sizes. Some of the women were introduced as Titi, Aunty Wunmi and lawyer. Instantly, Sunday Tribune recalled the story of a female lawyer sentenced to seven years imprisonment for stabbing her husband to death. Some of them were busy reading novels, while others were engaged in vocational activities.

At the end of the tour, Sunday Tribune was able to ascertain the veracity of the often reported claims that prisons in Nigeria are congested. Agodi prison accommodates more than three times its capacity. The actual capacity of the prison, according to official record, is 390 but it is currently housing 1,147 male and female inmates.

It is also obvious that the health condition of most of the inmates is poor. Some of the roofs and buildings of the cell blocks are also not in good condition as some inmates were seen patching the cracked walls of their cells. It is not an understatement that the prison lacks modern facilities.

Some parts of the walls only have broken bottles on them to prevent an escape from inside; the gates are manually opened and closed while armed officers are the only security measures protecting the facility. It is quite obvious that the prison needs holistic attention unlike Agodi-Oke that is constantly refurbished at the expense of poor citizens.