The House of Representatives have called on the Federal Ministry of Justice to implement measures that expedite the process of justice delivery and enhance the process of meeting bail conditions in a move to address overcrowding in 244 correctional centres.
During a recent plenary session in Abuja, the legislators also emphasised the need to reduce arbitrary arrests and focus on the effective reformation, rehabilitation, and reintegration of inmates.
The House also advocated for the use of mercy to offer amnesty to inmates deemed deserving of such leniency.
Hon. Chinedu Ogah moved it as a motion of urgent national importance and the resolutions were passed.
Highlighting the critical role of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Ogah pointed out the mandated objectives of the prisons to reform, rehabilitate, and ensure the successful reintegration of offenders back into society, aligning with globally recognized standards.
However, Ogah expressed concerns over the dire conditions faced by over 70,000 inmates, citing inadequate facilities and the inability of many to pay court-imposed fines or to be formally charged with criminal offences.
“Disturbed that by the Nigerian criminal justice system is plagued by flaws, with cases often lingering without resolution for years, thus overcrowding the correctional centres in various geopolitical zones.
“A data system reveals that federal offenders comprise less than 10% of correctional system inmates, leaving over 90% to state offences.
“Overcrowding of the Correctional facilities has led to a huge revenue drain for successive governments, leading to prison dilapidation, criminalization, and inability to separate awaiting trial inmates from convicted ones.
Ogar further explained that implementing the criminal justice system and the adoption of non-custodial measures would effectively reduce the overcrowding of national prisons.
Such measures would encompass modernizing existing custodial centres, constructing new facilities, and overhauling the bail system to enhance the speed of justice dispensation and reduce the backlog of inmates awaiting trial.
Furthermore, the House proposed legislative actions to re-evaluate the role of both federal and state governments in inmate correction and to develop sustainable and efficient strategies for decongesting the nation’s jails.
This includes the implementation of non-custodial measures as viable alternatives to imprisonment.
The Committee on Justice has been tasked with ensuring the enforcement of these critical reforms, marking a pivotal step towards revamping Nigeria’s correctional system and ensuring the humane and effective rehabilitation of its inmates.
Alleluia is the Assistant Editor and Content Writer at LagosPost.ng. She is a prolific writer and editor, she has written features and news stories on Lifestyle, Sports, Business, Politics and B2B marketing. She is also an event coordinator, host and social media content creator.
