Meet Funke Adeoye, a visionary legal practitioner redefining Nigeria’s criminal justice system. As the founder of Hope Behind Bar Africa, Funke has dedicated her career to tackling prison overcrowding, advocating for alternative sentencing, and championing the rights of underserved individuals within the justice system. Through her work, she inspires hope and drives change, building a future where justice is accessible to all, regardless of status or circumstance.
Q: Can you tell us a little about yourself and your journey so far? What inspired Hope Behind Bars Africa?
I consider myself a human rights lawyer and social entrepreneur. I currently lead Hope Behind Bars Africa, an organization working on criminal justice and human rights issues. My journey into this field was shaped by several events, with the most significant being a personal experience. Years ago, my father was wrongfully detained for a crime he didn’t commit. Although he was eventually released, the incident had a devastating impact on our family—he lost his job, and we struggled to recover. I was just a child at the time, but the experience left an indelible mark on me.
As I grew older, I decided to study law, driven by a desire to make a difference in the lives of people like my father. After becoming a lawyer, I began volunteering with prison ministries, which exposed me to the realities of the correctional system. I saw firsthand how many people lacked legal representation and suffered within the justice system for crimes they did not commit. Later, during my four years at a law firm, I handled several pro bono cases for indigent clients. It became increasingly clear how much work was needed to address the systemic flaws in Nigeria’s criminal justice system. That realization inspired the creation of Hope Behind Bars Africa.
Q: You’ve mentioned providing pro bono legal services. How has this approach improved access to justice for the most vulnerable?
Nigeria’s criminal justice system faces numerous challenges, from the point of entry—often through the police—to the point of exit in the prison system. A major issue is the lack of access to legal representation for those who cannot afford it. When we started Hope Behind Bars Africa, our primary focus was to bridge this gap by providing free legal services to those in need. Since then, we’ve offered legal representation to over 700 individuals.
Beyond individual cases, our work has expanded to system-level engagement. We collaborate with key actors like the Legal Aid Council, the Ministry of Justice, the police, and the Nigerian Correctional Service. For example, some cases we handle are referred to us by these agencies, which shows the growing trust and recognition of our efforts. By building these relationships, we aim to create a more sustainable impact and foster systemic change.
Q: Many government agencies and officials in Nigeria are known to disregard court judgments. How do you ensure accountability when this happens?
The rule of law is critical to any nation’s development, and we recognize the importance of holding the government accountable. To achieve this, we rely on three key strategies: engaging the court system through strategic litigation, advocating for systemic reforms, and leveraging media to amplify our message and create visibility around our work.
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While we’ve encountered cases where court judgments are ignored, we continue to push back through legal and advocacy channels. For instance, one challenge is Section 84 of the Sheriff and Civil Process Act, which requires the Attorney General’s consent to enforce judgments against the federal government. This law is inconsistent with democratic principles, and we’ve been advocating for its repeal. While the journey is challenging, persistent engagement with the legal system and public advocacy is essential for progress.
Q: Your story about your father’s experience is compelling. Was that the sole reason you chose to study law, or did you have other career aspirations?
Honestly, when the incident with my father happened, I was very young—around seven or eight years old. As I grew older, I developed various passions. At one point, I wanted to be an actress, and at another, a teacher, inspired by my mother, who was a teacher. However, when I reached my senior year in secondary school, my English teacher encouraged me to pursue a professional course. That advice, combined with my earlier experiences, led me to choose law. Looking back now, I can say I’ve found fulfillment in this path.
Q: You’ve become a notable voice in the criminal justice system. How do you navigate challenges related to ethics, integrity, and dealing with more established figures in the field?
I firmly believe in the principle of honor and acknowledge the contributions of those who came before me. I stand on the shoulders of giants and have received tremendous support from senior lawyers who see the value in my work. My focus on helping society’s most vulnerable individuals through pro bono services ensures I’m not perceived as a threat to anyone.
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As for maintaining ethics and integrity, professionalism is a core value for Hope Behind Bars Africa. This means we operate transparently and avoid engaging in any corrupt practices. Our reputation precedes us, and people know what we stand for, which helps us avoid situations that could compromise our values.
Q: How do you overcome the obstacles that come with running a nonprofit organization, especially in a challenging justice system?
Managing a nonprofit like Hope Behind Bars Africa comes with significant challenges. Funding is one of the biggest hurdles since we rely heavily on donations and grants. For the first two to three years, I used my personal funds to sustain the organization and had to let go of job opportunities to focus on this work full-time.
Another major challenge is the slow pace of the judicial system. We’ve learned to tackle this by taking small, consistent steps, supported by sacrifices from our team of staff and volunteers. Our progress today is the result of collective dedication and resilience. I don’t believe in the concept of being “self-made.” It’s the efforts of many people, including my family and team, that have brought us this far.
Q: Your work has earned you many awards, including the Mandela Washington Fellowship and the Global Citizen Prize. How have these platforms helped advance the cause of Hope Behind Bars?
These platforms have been transformative. First, from a personal standpoint, they’ve significantly impacted me as a founder. When I started this journey, I had no prior experience in the nonprofit sector—I came from a law firm background. The early years were spent finding my footing. Participating in fellowships like the Mandela Washington Fellowship, Civic Hive Fellowship, Accountability Lab, and others provided me with essential knowledge and capacity-building opportunities as a leader, founder, and social entrepreneur.
These platforms also provided funding that greatly benefited Hope Behind Bars Africa. For example, the prize money from Global Citizen was reinvested into the organization, enabling many of the impactful projects we’re running today. Collectively, these fellowships have been game-changers, equipping us with the resources and tools to create sustainable change.
Q: Overcrowded prisons and the prevalence of awaiting trial inmates remain significant challenges in Nigeria. What steps do you believe the government and other stakeholders should take to address these issues?
Overcrowding in Nigerian prisons is a multifaceted problem. Despite having approximately 84,000 prisoners in a country of over 200 million people, our facilities are still overcrowded due to systemic inefficiencies. About 70% of these inmates are awaiting trial, which is a key contributor to this crisis. It’s crucial to understand that prisons are meant for convicted individuals, not for those awaiting trial.
We have progressive laws like the Administration of Criminal Justice Act and the Nigerian Correctional Service Act, which offer alternatives to incarceration, such as non-custodial measures. However, these laws are not being effectively implemented. If properly enforced, they could significantly reduce the prison population and ensure that only those convicted of crimes are incarcerated. The solution lies in operationalizing these laws and ensuring that all stakeholders in the justice system adhere to them.
Q: You mentioned collaborating with community leaders and other stakeholders. How do you engage these groups to promote sustainability and collective ownership of the solutions you provide?
Collaboration is vital, especially in areas like rehabilitation and reintegration. We actively engage community leaders, traditional authorities, and other stakeholders through forums where we discuss their roles in our work. The media also plays a critical role in amplifying our efforts.
We emphasize partnerships by informing these groups about our initiatives and identifying areas where they can contribute. This approach fosters collective ownership and ensures that the solutions we provide are sustainable and rooted in the communities we serve.
Q: What is your vision for the future of Nigeria’s criminal justice system, and how do you see Hope Behind Bars contributing to it?
My vision is a criminal justice system that upholds the pillars of fairness and accessibility, where justice is not dependent on a person’s financial status or social influence. In such a system, anyone, regardless of their background, can engage with the courts and receive prompt and impartial justice.
To achieve this, our judiciary must become less partial, our courts more proactive in addressing the needs of all citizens, and our police must prioritize serving the people over political interests. When the phrase “police is your friend” becomes a reality for every Nigerian, we’ll know we’ve made progress.
At Hope Behind Bars, we are working towards this vision by addressing systemic injustices, advocating for the rights of the underserved, and providing legal support and rehabilitation programs. Our focus remains on creating a system where everyone can access justice equitably.
Q: During the EndSARS protests, many teenagers were arrested and charged exorbitant bail fees. What role do you think the courts play in such situations, and how can young protesters’ rights be better protected?
The Nigerian Constitution, under Section 40, guarantees the right to peaceful assembly. Additionally, the Child Rights Act outlines the appropriate treatment for children in conflict with the law. Unfortunately, these provisions are often ignored. For instance, during the EndSARS protests, some young protesters were detained and charged with excessive bail amounts under dubious legal pretenses.
While the government obtained detention orders under the Terrorism Act, it raises questions about the shrinking civic space in Nigeria. To address this, the government must operate within the rule of law, respecting citizens’ rights to peaceful assembly and ensuring fair treatment of young people. The judiciary also has a critical role in upholding constitutional protections and ensuring that no one is unlawfully detained for exercising their fundamental rights.
Q: Your work is demanding, and you’re involved in many initiatives. How do you balance it all, and what strategies do you use for self-care?
I don’t do this work alone—it’s a team effort. We have over ten full-time staff, volunteers across the country, consultants, and a strong Board of Trustees that provides governance and oversight. I focus on being the visionary while empowering my team to execute the mission effectively.
For self-care, I prioritize my fitness routine, regularly going to the gym and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. I also have a supportive partner who helps manage things at home when my work requires me to be away. These strategies help me stay grounded and energized for the work ahead.
