‘52,446 inmates awaiting trial’ — NCoS says custodial facilities are overstretched

The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) says 52,446 out of the 75,436 inmates in custody across the nation, are awaiting trial and are overstretching the facilities.

Gimba Dumbulwa, an assistant controller general of the service, who spoke on Wednesday, said some of the inmates have been at the facilities without trial for over 10 years.

He said over 2,000 have been in confinement for more than 10 years, while over 5, 000 inmates have not got the opportunity for trial.

Dumbulwa pointed out that there was a problem with the nation’s justice system, adding that there has been no “quick dispensation of justice to these inmates”.

“Out of this figure, more than 70 percent of them have overstayed in custody due to lateness in sentencing them and keeping them for more than they should be. All these add to the issue of congestion across our custodial centres,” he said.

On her part, Uju Agomoh, the executive director of prisoners rehabilitation and welfare action (PRAWA), stressed the need for an effective justice system.

“This has become very problematic. Therefore, we must be concerned about what happens to them while they are there. Once you have a high number of people who are not convicted, it is difficult to plan proper rehabilitation and programmes for them or even plan their resettlement,” Agomoh said.

“We are basically here for solutions. We need to put checks and balances to move and make sure that these agencies function very well in their respective places.”