By Okafor Joseph Afam | January 14, 2025

Over 48,000 inmates in Nigerian prisons are classified as Awaiting Trial Persons (ATPs), contributing significantly to the severe overcrowding of the nation’s correctional facilities, according to Sylvester Nwakuche, the Acting Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS).

During an interactive session with field officers on Monday, Nwakuche revealed that as of January 6, 2025, a total of 48,932 inmates were awaiting trial.

“Overcrowding, no doubt, stands out as the most pressing challenge of the NCoS,” he said, highlighting the urgent need for reforms to address this systemic issue.

Proposed Solutions

To tackle the growing crisis, Nwakuche announced plans to collaborate with key stakeholders, including the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, the Inspector-General of Police, and other prosecuting agencies. The goal is to expedite the judicial process and reduce the backlog of cases.

He also outlined measures such as implementing non-custodial sentencing options, early release mechanisms, and constructing ultramodern custodial facilities with a capacity of 3,000 inmates.

“This administration will explore the window of opportunities as provided by the non-custodial measures to address the influx of inmates into our facilities,” Nwakuche stated.

Local-Level Engagement

Field officers were urged to strengthen collaboration with state Chief Judges and Attorneys-General to facilitate faster prosecutorial processes.

“I implore you to reach out to the state Chief Judges, Attorneys-General of your states, and other stakeholders to cash in on this; some of them need to be educated on this,” Nwakuche said.

Focus on Non-Bailable Offences

Nwakuche assured stakeholders that priority would be given to cases involving non-bailable offences such as armed robbery and murder, which account for over 60% of ATP cases.

The acting Controller-General’s remarks underscore the pressing need for systemic reforms in Nigeria’s correctional system, with a focus on alleviating overcrowding and ensuring timely justice for those awaiting trial.