– A recent report has said that 80% of the inmates in Nigerian prisons are awaiting trial
– The report also said that the remaining 20% of among the inmates represents convicted prisoners stressing that apart from the convicted offenders
Some prison officials in front of Koton-Karfe facility in Kogi state
Over 80% of Nigerians in prison custody are awaiting trial, a Centre for Crisis Communication (CCC) report has said.
The report was which released by the centre in Abuja on Wednesday, September 7, said the long stay of the inmates in prison is due to unwholesome criminal justice system in the country.
Marking its one year of dedicated service to Nigeria, the executive secretary of the centre Yusuf Anas, and a retired air commodore said the remaining 20% of among the inmates represents convicted prisoners stressing that apart from the convicted offenders.
The centre also said that the seven prisons across Nigeria provides habitation for those who are still awaiting trials for various crimes and offences including pick-pocketing, terrorism among many others.
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A breakdown of the report shows that the Ikoyi facility houses 2239 inmates has 1965 and 274 inmates on awaiting trial and convicted respectively; Kastina has a total of 1069 inmates with 997 and 72 awaiting trail and convicted; Kano central currently has 1609 inmates (942 and 667 awaiting trial and convicted respectively) and Umuahia has 1035 total inmates out of which 993 are awaiting trial while 42 have been convicted.
Others are Owerri facility with a total of 2144 inmates (1983 are awaiting trial, 161 are convicted); Port Harcourt has 3593 inmates (3209 are awaiting trial, 384 are convicted) while Enugu has 1964 total inmates with 1677 awaiting trial and 287, convicted.
Referring to the prisons as important and very sensitive security institution, Anas decried various security breach that led to attempted and real prison breaks across the country especially in Kuje prison facility in Abuja.
Anas said: “It is public knowledge that some of these ATI have spent far more years in the prisons waiting for justice.”
He said the centre is convinced that the unwieldy number of inmates in most of the prisons, dilapidated structures and poor condition of service of the prison staff are some of the factors responsible for the recurring jail breaks in Nigeria.
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“The Centre therefore suggest that urgent steps should be taken that would see the reduction of the number of ATI which in turn will lead to the decongestion of the prisons. The steps include an overhauling of our criminal justice system to ensure rapid administration of justice,” Anas said.
“Equally important is adequate funding of the Nigerian Prisons Service to enable it fortify the prisons with trained personnel and modern facilities that will aid security and surveillance in our prisons. See the detailed info graphic analysis of situation in a few of the prisons that were assessed by the CCC,” he said.
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