Lagos, Nigeria

Lagos is one of the fastest growing mega-cities in the world, facing huge challenges to develop and maintain well-functioning society. One of the major social challenges is related to safety, crime and public order. Poverty, inequality and the influx of displaced people as a result of internal conflicts (for example Boko Haram), put pressure on the already strained formal justice system, leaving prisons overcrowded, with little resources for day activities and rehabilitation for inmates.

The pre-trial detention situation in Lagos is worse compared to the situation on a national level in Nigeria. In the 5 prisons of Lagos, pre-trial detention is a very serious problem and arguably the largest problem the local justice and prison system has to cope with.

Together with its vibrant energy and self-consciousness, Lagos is the place to undertake a project like the Informal Justice Court and to seek new perspectives for a worldwide problem.