President Muhammadu Buhari has written a letter to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Ibrahim Muhammad on the need to decongest the various Correctional centres in the country.
The letter is due to the Coronavirus, COVID-19 pandemic in the country.
In the letter, Buhari drew the attention of the CJN to the recent call by the United Nations on all countries to reduce the population of prison inmates consciously.
Buhari Calls For Decongestion Of Correctional Centres
According to President Buhari, “From available records, the inmates population at various custodial centres across the country presently stands at about 74,127 out of which 52,226 are Awaiting Trial Persons (ATPs).
“Most of these custodial centres are presently housing inmates beyond their capacities, and the overcrowded facilities pose a potent threat to the health of the inmates and the public in general in view of the present circumstances, hence the need for urgent steps to bring the situation under control.”
The President said it has become imperative for the CJN to request State Chief Judges to embark on a quick visit to all custodial/correctional centres within their respective States to identify and release deserving inmates.
He noted that during such visits, “the Chief Judges are advised to consider the conditional or unconditional release of ATPs who have spent six years or more in custody.
Also to be considered are the ATPs who have no confirmed criminal cases against them, aged inmates and terminally ill.
“It is expected that particular attention should be on the aged, those with health issues, low-risk offenders, those with no sufficient legal basis to remain in custody, inmates convicted for minor offences with or without the option of fines.
Inmates who have less than three years term left to serve having served a substantial time of their service for offences that attract five years and above.
“Payment of fines may be made in favour of inmates convicted of lesser offences with the option of fine, who are in custody because of their inability to pay such fines.”
President Buhari said a report on the proposed visits should be forwarded to the Presidential Committee on Correctional Service Reform and Decongestion Secretariat, Federal Ministry of Justice, Abuja for compilation and onward transmission to his office.
