Popular Ibadan-based broadcaster and philanthropist, Oriyomi Hamzat, has narrated his harrowing experience while in custody at the Agodi Correctional Centre, Ibadan, describing the conditions as dehumanising and psychologically traumatic.

Hamzat, who spoke emotionally during a recent interview, said he was kept in solitary confinement in a small cell without a toilet facility, forcing him to endure extreme discomfort and indignity. According to him, the cell was poorly ventilated, overcrowded with insects, and unfit for human habitation.

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“I was kept in a single cell with no toilet. If I wanted to ease myself, I had to beg the warders,” Hamzat said. “There was no dignity, no consideration for the fact that you are still a human being. It was a very terrible experience.”

The media personality explained that the experience took a heavy toll on his mental and emotional health, adding that he struggled to cope with isolation and the uncertainty surrounding his situation. He said the lack of basic sanitary facilities made the situation even worse, especially at night.

Hamzat also used the opportunity to speak about the broader condition of correctional facilities in Nigeria, calling for urgent reforms. He noted that many inmates, particularly those awaiting trial, are subjected to inhumane conditions despite not being convicted of any crime.

“Many people inside those cells have not been found guilty of anything. Yet, they are treated worse than animals,” he said. “This is not about me alone; it is about the system and the thousands of Nigerians suffering silently.”

He expressed gratitude to God, his family, friends, and supporters who stood by him during the period, saying their prayers and encouragement gave him strength. Hamzat added that the experience had changed his perspective on life and strengthened his resolve to advocate for justice, human rights, and prison reforms.

The Agodi Correctional Centre, like many custodial facilities across the country, has often been criticised by rights groups for overcrowding, poor sanitation, and inadequate welfare for inmates. Hamzat’s account has once again drawn public attention to the urgent need for government intervention to improve conditions in Nigeria’s correctional centres.

As reactions continue to trail his revelation, many Nigerians have taken to social media to call on authorities to investigate the conditions at Agodi Prison and ensure that the rights and dignity of inmates are protected in line with the law.