Injustice: man released after eight years in prison without trial

John Tobia, a Nigerian man held since March 6, 2017, has finally regained his freedom after spending over eight years behind the bars without trial.

Tobia was arrested by the Nigerian police and held at the Port Harcourt correction center, where she remained in custody throughout the period without a single hearing in court.

Its release on June 4, 2025 crossed the efforts of Hope Azer-Oitiri human rights, also known as “Pidgin law” on social media.

Taking the case on a pro bono basis, the lawyer announced the freedom of Tobia on X (previously Twitter), highlighting the injustice of its long detention without trial.

“Freedom after 8 years, 4 months and 10 days. The court does not release John Gift Tobia Wey Nigerian sends prison for no reason.

“John Gift Tobia Dey waiting for trial for 8 years, 4 months and 10 days. Normally, we don’t suppose better for some police men,” wrote Azeru-Oziri.

“Gift dey waiting for trials for years without hope until God remembers being through me. On 4/6/2025, High Court for Rivers State Don Free AM.”

In a video shared after her release, Tobia, visibly emotional, thanked the lawyer for her intervention and briefly spoke of her plans to reconstruct her life after almost a decade lost due to detention without trial.

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