The Nation Newspaper

Tag: awaiting-trial

  • Edo to reduce inmates awaiting trial by half

    Edo to reduce inmates awaiting trial by half

    Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki has vowed to work with security agencies to decongest the population of awaiting trial inmates.

    Obaseki spoke at the quarterly Federal and State Security Administrators’ Meeting (FSSAM) yesterday at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Benin City, Edo State.

    On herdsmen challenge, the governor said: “The herdsmen we knew in the past were only concerned about their cows, and had no business with maps. But with what we now witness, it has become imperative to seek the support of security agencies for a safe and secure business climate.”

    Obaseki noted that the proliferation of hate speeches has become a national concern that must be nipped in the bud, as it portends implications not just for the people but also for attracting investment.

    He said: “We are revamping Operation Thunderstorm in the state, a security initiative set up by my predecessor, former Governor Adams Oshiomole. We intend on improving the security infrastructure in the state. In this regard, we need the cooperation of members of security services who are in Edo State, including the Military, Police, and others.

     “We want to decongest prisons.  We are working to reduce number of persons in the prisons. We want to reduce inmates by 50 per cent. We want to relocate the prison at Sapele road by expanding Oko prisons.”

  • Wike, CJ urged to act on 3,283 awaiting trial cases

    Wike, CJ urged to act on 3,283 awaiting trial cases

    A group, Citizens United for the Rehabilitation of Errants (CURE-Nigeria), has decried congestion at Port Harcourt Maximum Security Prison and “the inhuman condition under which inmates are held.”
    It said it noticed during its visit to the prison that the facility, designed for 804 people, held 3,752 inmates, of which 3,283 were awaiting trial, with only 469 convicted, making it the prison with the highest number of awaiting trial inmates in the country.
    The group urged Governor Nyesom Wike and the Chief Judge, Adama Iyayi-Lamikanra, to reverse the situation.
    It made its request in its letters to Governor Wike and Justice Iyayi-Lamikanra, dated February 2, signed by its Executive Director, Sylvester Uhaa.
    The organisation said the situation posed health, economic and social danger for the inmates, their families and state.
    It added that the overcrowding of the prison constituted security threat to the host community and prison officials in case of riot or jailbreak.
    “The detention of 3,283 suspects, representing 87.5 per cent of the population, is one of the greatest and brutal forms of human rights violation,” the body said.
    It enjoined the chief judge “to visit the prison, review cases of those awaiting trial and make recommendations for speedy trial.”
    The group asked the governor to direct those charged with ensuring justice delivery to perform.
    It requested Wike to ask the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice to work with the House of Assembly to domesticate the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, as this would solve some of the problems.

  • 5,653 awaiting trial in Lagos

    No fewer than 5,913 inmates are awaiting trial in Lagos prisons, Nigerian Prisons Service spokesman in Lagos, Biyi Jeje, has said.

    According to him, out of 6,921 inmates in the prisons, only 1,008 are convicts. He said both the minimum and medium prisons have exceeded their capacities.

    The Maximum Prison, with a capacity for 1,056 inmates, presently has 1,234, he said, adding that the Medium Prison, with a capacity for 1,700 inmates, currently has 3820.

    Ikoyi Prison, with a capacity for 800 inmates, has 2,277 inmates; the female prison, with a capacity for 211, currently has 240 inmates, while the Badagry Prison, meant for 160 persons, has 350 inmates.

    Jeje, who is also a correction officer, said despite the challenges, the prisons have adequate correctional facilities.

    “In all Lagos Prisons, there are staffed hospitals, clinics, churches, mosques, extra-curricular sports centres, different educational systems from primary to the university and other standard facilities found in a community for such inmates to live a normal life.

    “Convicts are also entitled to acquire skills such as laundry, welding, tailoring, carpentry, hairdressing, art and craft, theatre art and other skills that will enable them integrate into society after discharge.

    “We, together with our partners, provide them with the tools to start a trade and monitor them properly so that they don’t go back to crime,” he said.

  • CJ pardons 51 awaiting-trial inmates

    The Chief Judge of Ogun State, Justice Olatokunbo Olopade, yesterday released 51 awaiting trial inmates from five prisons.

    They were released from Abeokuta, Oba, Ilaro, Ijebu-Ode and Sagamu prisons.

    Justice Olopade said those released had spent between three and five years in custody without trial.

    She regretted that the case files of some of them could not be found.

    “The judiciary is to work harder to ensure that old cases are quickly dispensed, especially those of 2010 and 2011.

    “Old cases that have been identified would be sought after and dispensed with in time.

    “By October, all old cases would have been treated. The magistrates and the Directorate of Public Prosecution are working toward this,” Justice Olopade said.

    She urged the released inmates to be of good character and avoid any act capable of making them return to the prison.

    The offences of those released range from armed robbery to house breaking and entry, among others.

    The Comptroller of Prison, Mr. Adam Babatunde, hailed the Chief Judge for the initiative.

    He said the prison service would collaborate with the judiciary.