Egbonimali Shadrack
It’s hard to believe it’s been a decade since Harrison walked out of those prison gates. As someone who advocated tirelessly for his release, I can summarize this journey for you in two parts: The Fight for Justice and The Legacy of Freedom.
The Fight for Justice (Our Perspective)
We knew from the start that Harrison was a victim of a terrible miscarriage of justice.
The Injustice: We fought against overwhelming odds: a flawed police investigation, a “confessional statement” we knew was obtained under duress, and a powerful victim (Barr Mary Agbajoh) whose fear of retaliation was enough to keep an innocent man locked up.
The Crucial Evidence: Our breakthrough was finding out the truth: Harrison was a victim of mistaken identity. The primary accused, Bassey Inyang, confirmed that the police had the wrong man—they should have been looking for another individual with the same first name.
Our Plea: Our efforts focused on pressuring the authorities—from the DPP to the Commissioner of Police—to re-examine the evidence. We called out the judicial system for its apathy and ultimately appealed directly to Barr Agbajoh, knowing her decision was the final, tragic barrier to his freedom.
We fought for nearly four long years. When he finally walked free, it wasn’t just a personal victory for Harrison; it was a powerful, rare victory against a broken system.
The Legacy of Freedom (The Result)
The true measure of Harrison’s freedom is what he has done with it. He didn’t just walk away; he stayed to fight for those he left behind.
From Victim to Activist: Harrison founded the Behind Bars Human Rights Foundation (BBHRF). His painful experience became his purpose.
The Voice for the Voiceless: For the last ten years, he has been an uncompromising and fearless advocate. He dedicates his time to rescuing other victims of wrongful incarceration, providing legal aid to the poor, and exposing the corruption and brutality within the Nigerian police and prison systems.
Living Proof: Harrison’s life is a constant, loud reminder that the fight for justice must never end. Every prisoner his organization helps set free is a testament to the advocacy that secured his own release a decade ago.
We fought for an innocent man’s freedom; we ended up helping birth a powerful voice for countless others
