The National Association of Catholic Lawyers (NACL), Lagos Chapter, has secured the release of 150 inmates from correctional centres in Lagos State in 2025, the group said on Friday.
Florence Atuluku, president of the Lagos NACL, made the disclosure during the association’s 2025 annual Christmas celebration and gift presentation to inmates held at Ikoyi Correctional Centre.
The event drew inmates and management from correctional facilities, as well as the Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Most Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins.
Atuluku said the lawyers provided free legal services throughout the year, focusing on cases where detainees had been held without trial.
She explained that the association reviewed records and facilitated legal processes that led to the release of eligible inmates.
The programme included a Mass and the confirmation of 25 inmates by the archbishop.
Items such as bags of rice, toiletries, clothing, educational materials, and cash were distributed to support the welfare and rehabilitation of inmates.
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Donations were made by the Prison Apostolate of the Church, NACL, the Christian Women Organisation and other groups.
Atuluku said NACL plans to expand legal interventions in 2026 to further assist in decongesting custodial facilities, especially for minor cases.
The Lagos chapter of the National Association of Catholic Lawyers is a professional body of Catholic legal practitioners that combines legal expertise with humanitarian advocacy to support justice and protect the rights of vulnerable people.