The Federal Government has called for speedy trials of inmates in custodial centers to help decongest the facilities.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Mr. Shuaib Belgore made the call during the decoration of newly promoted officers on Wednesday in Abuja.
Belgore said three-quarters of inmates in custodial centers nationwide were awaiting trial, a situation that has been compounding problems in correctional facilities.
He urged the Controller-General of, the Nigerian Correctional Service, Haliru Nababa to work with state governments to fast-track the trial of inmates.
He also urged the NCoS and state governments to work out modalities to ensure that those who committed minor offenses were not incarcerated.
“May I also remind the Controller-General to direct all Controllers in charge of correctional facilities across Nigeria to implement the Interior Minister’s directive to decongest the facilities as stipulated in the NCoS Act.
“We are all working for a human environment where inmates can realize their potential and achieve their dreams while serving jail term.
“They are human beings like you and I, hence the need for us to ensure good living conditions for them throughout their stay,” he said
Belgore reminded the NCoS that section 12 subsection 8 of its Act empowered it to reject the intake of inmates beyond the capacity of its holding facilities.
“This, in which it is apparent that the Correctional Centre in question is filled to capacity.
“I will therefore advise you to be guided by the provision of the Act to ensuring that our correctional centers are decongested as the ongoing construction of facilities across the country will ultimately make this task achievable,” Belgore said.
He reiterated that the ministry had kick-started a stakeholder engagement to proffer solutions to the congestion of correctional facilities.
“The effort to decongest our correctional centers has been boosted by the building of new facilities in Kano and Karshi in the Federal Capital Territory to accommodate inmates.
“This is also to provide better facilities for inmates to improve their living conditions and ensure skills acquisition in a conducive learning environment.
“This will aid inmates’ reintegration into society,” he said.
Speaking earlier, Nababa congratulated the officers on their elevation, adding that the welfare of personnel and inmates remained key under his stewardship.
The CG pledged to provide more staff quarters and better living conditions for inmates.
“As a service, we always look forward to moments like this, as it signifies growth and sustainability in the system.
“To all qualified officers that were not fortunate to benefit from this promotion exercise, I encourage you not to relent, but to remain steadfast, your time will surely come,” Nababa said.
