Wednesday, September 4, 2024 -No fewer than 3,590 inmates across the custodial centres in Nigeria are on death row, the Nigeria Correctional Service, NCoS, has revealed.
NCoS Public
Relations Officer, Assistant Controller of Corrections, Abubakar Umar made this
known while speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria on Wednesday, September 4,
2024, in Abuja.
Mr Umar said that the total number of
inmates in centres across the country is 84,741 comprising of 82,821 males and
1,920 females “as at Sept. 3, 2024.
The NCoS spokesman put the total
number of Awaiting Trial Inmates, ATIs, at 57,750 comprising 56,303 males and
1,447 females.
“The breakdown according to their
classes is: convicted inmates are 21,900 comprising of 21,519 males and 381
females, while lifers are 1,501 comprising of 1,478 males and 23 females,"
he said.
“The total number of Inmates on Death
Row (IDR) was made up of 3,517 males and 73 females making a total of
3,590."
Mr Umar said that majority of inmates
in custody were Awaiting Trial Persons, ATPs, posing a significant challenge
for the Service due to their high numbers.
He, however, assured that the Service
was taking steps to address the issue and ensuring timely judicial processing
for the Awaiting Trial Persons (ATPs).”
“Thanks to the initiative and backing
of the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, we successfully reduced the
inmate population by releasing 4,063 individuals who were given the option to
pay fines and/or compensation.
“The Service is also tackling custodial congestion
through the construction of new facilities, expansion of community sentencing,
improvement of court logistics, and implementation of various decongestion
measures, in addition to the release of inmates, ”he said
Mr Umar stated that the Service’s
efforts to build partnerships with other agencies have paid off, leading to
enhanced security and positive results in and around custodial facilities.
He said “the Service has taken steps
to reinforce the security of custodial facilities against external threats, and
we have maintained a stable and secure environment within our facilities, with
no incidents of internal insurrection.
Mr Umar also noted that the Service
saw significant enhancements in the treatment and care of inmates, particularly
in the areas of personal reformation, rehabilitation programs, and successful
reintegration into society.
He added that the partnership between
the NCoS and NOUN was yielding practical results, with a significant number of
inmates enrolled in various academic programs, including advanced degrees,
while serving their sentences
He said that, as of August
31, 2024, 1,282 inmates were enrolled in the National Open University of
Nigeria, NOUN, special study centre.
“A break down according to thier various programmes
include: total number of NOUN inmates students studying for Bachelor of
Sciences (B.Sc) as at August 31 is 1,215.
“Total number of NOUN inmates students studying for Post
Graduate Diploma (PGD) and Master as of August, 31 is 62
“Also, a total number of NOUN inmates Students Studying for
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) are five and three are currently writing their
thesis,” he said.
0 Comments