The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice
Abubakar Malami (SAN) has expressed concerns that awaiting trial
inmates constitute 70 per cent of the nation’s prison
population.
Malami said the development was a violation of the rights of
inmates, which must be reversed through deliberate efforts of the
state to decongest the prisons.
Deputy Director (Information) in the Federal Minister of
Justice, Ogundoro Modupe, quoted the AGF as speaking when he led
the Federal Government Stakeholders Committee on Prison
Decongestion to Rivers and Imo states on February 5 and 6.
Malami decried the unchecked violation of fundamental rights of
prison inmates across the country, explaining that the purpose of
the visit was to oversee the implementation of the Federal
Executive Council’s directive in fast-tracking the decongestion of
prisons.
He added that the Committee would also review cases of inmates
who have been convicted of minor offences with option of fines and
are unable to pay.
According to Malami, “The committee wishes to secure the release
of as many of such inmates as possible through the payment of their
fines.
“I am therefore pleased to announce that the committee will, in
addition to ensuring the payment of fines, also conduct a review of
cases of inmates awaiting trial for more than five years, in the
select priority prisons.
“These able bodied men represent our potential workforce, they
represent tomorrow’s fathers to raise the next generations of
Nigerians.
“We must, therefore, begin to find improved ways of addressing
the issue of crime and the treatment of minor offenders in our
criminal justice system.”
The committee’s Chairman and Chief Judge of the High Court of
the Federal Capital Territory, Justice Ishaq Bello, during the tour
of prisons in Imo State, facilitated the release of 13 inmates,
whose fines were settled by the Governor Rochas Okorocha.
In Rivers, the committee released 26 inmates, among who
governor, Nyesom Wike assisted in paying their fines
Justice Bello also released those whose offences were minor but
were either remanded for years without trial or sentenced beyond
the provisions of the law.
He stated that the problem with the prisons is not only about
the crowded space inmates were subjected to, but also the attendant
psychological and emotional impacts.
Wike flayed the police for delay in charging arrested persons to
court, alleging that the this was partly responsible for the
swelling figure of inmates.
Speaking during the meeting with the Committee in Owerri,
Okorocha admitted that prison atmosphere in Nigeria cannot
guarantee transformation of inmates upon their release.
He also identified the country’s justice system as part of the
factors responsible for prison congestion.
Okorcha suggested prison concession or a private, public
partnership, which he said, would enable the private sector
participate in the construction of prisons and the welfare of
inmates.
Among those freed was a young woman, Joy Goodluck, an indigene
of Imo State, sentenced to three years jail term in Port Harcourt
prison for stealing a half bag of cassava.
The lady, who was a month pregnant at the time of the offence,
was set free with her baby after she narrated the circumstance that
took her to the prison.
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice
Abubakar Malami (SAN) has expressed concerns that awaiting trial
inmates constitute 70 per cent of the nation’s prison
population.
Malami said the development was a violation of the rights of
inmates, which must be reversed through deliberate efforts of the
state to decongest the prisons.
Deputy Director (Information) in the Federal Minister of
Justice, Ogundoro Modupe, quoted the AGF as speaking when he led
the Federal Government Stakeholders Committee on Prison
Decongestion to Rivers and Imo states on February 5 and 6.
Malami decried the unchecked violation of fundamental rights of
prison inmates across the country, explaining that the purpose of
the visit was to oversee the implementation of the Federal
Executive Council’s directive in fast-tracking the decongestion of
prisons.
He added that the Committee would also review cases of inmates
who have been convicted of minor offences with option of fines and
are unable to pay.
According to Malami, “The committee wishes to secure the release
of as many of such inmates as possible through the payment of their
fines.
“I am therefore pleased to announce that the committee will, in
addition to ensuring the payment of fines, also conduct a review of
cases of inmates awaiting trial for more than five years, in the
select priority prisons.
“These able bodied men represent our potential workforce, they
represent tomorrow’s fathers to raise the next generations of
Nigerians.
“We must, therefore, begin to find improved ways of addressing
the issue of crime and the treatment of minor offenders in our
criminal justice system.”
The committee’s Chairman and Chief Judge of the High Court of
the Federal Capital Territory, Justice Ishaq Bello, during the tour
of prisons in Imo State, facilitated the release of 13 inmates,
whose fines were settled by the Governor Rochas Okorocha.
In Rivers, the committee released 26 inmates, among who
governor, Nyesom Wike assisted in paying their fines
Justice Bello also released those whose offences were minor but
were either remanded for years without trial or sentenced beyond
the provisions of the law.
He stated that the problem with the prisons is not only about
the crowded space inmates were subjected to, but also the attendant
psychological and emotional impacts.
Wike flayed the police for delay in charging arrested persons to
court, alleging that the this was partly responsible for the
swelling figure of inmates.
Speaking during the meeting with the Committee in Owerri,
Okorocha admitted that prison atmosphere in Nigeria cannot
guarantee transformation of inmates upon their release.
He also identified the country’s justice system as part of the
factors responsible for prison congestion.
Okorcha suggested prison concession or a private, public
partnership, which he said, would enable the private sector
participate in the construction of prisons and the welfare of
inmates.
Among those freed was a young woman, Joy Goodluck, an indigene
of Imo State, sentenced to three years jail term in Port Harcourt
prison for stealing a half bag of cassava.
The lady, who was a month pregnant at the time of the offence,
was set free with her baby after she narrated the circumstance that
took her to the prison.
Read more https://nairalaw.com/agf-decries-increase-in-detainees-without-trial/