By Gloria Ikibah
The House of Representatives has called on the Federal and State Governments to provide comprehensive reforms of the country’s correctional system, including modernizing custodial centers, building new facilities, and redesigning the bail system;
The House also want the Federal Ministry of Justice to prevent delays in justice dispensation and enhance the process of meeting bail conditions; devise and promote effective reformation, rehabilitation, and reintegration of inmates; and to utilize its prerogative of mercy to grant amnesty to deserving inmates.
The House further urge the security agencies to avoid arbitrary arrests;
The lawmakers also proposes legislation to allocate time for the speedy dispensation of justice and reduce the number of inmates awaiting trial.
This was sequel to a motion on the “Call to Decongest Nigerian Correctional Services” by Rep. Chinedu Ogah on Wednesday at plenary.
In his lead debate, Rep. Ogah noted that the Nigerian Correctional Service, a federal entity under the Ministry of Interior, is a part of the Criminal Justice System under Exclusive list.
The House also noted that the Nigerian prisons, outline, were mandated to reform, rehabilitate, and ensure effective
reintegration of offenders into society in line with universally accepted standards.
He expressed worries that over 70,000 inmates in the country face inadequate facilities despite government efforts, and some have not been charged with criminal cases, while some are unable to pay the fines imposed by the courts despite having their cases determined.
The motion reads: “Disturbed that by the Nigerian criminal justice system is plagued by flaws, with cases often lingering without resolution for years, thus overcrowding the correctional centers in various geopolitical zones.
“Also disturbed that a data system reveals that federal offenders comprise less than 10% of correctional
system inmates, leaving over 90% to state offenses.
“Alarmed that 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.
“Cognizant that implementing the criminal justice system and the adoption of non-custodial measures would
effectively reduce the overcrowding of national prisons”.
The House unanimously adopted the motion and resolved to examine the role of the federal and state governments in the correction of inmates; propose sustainable, efficient solutions to address the congestion in 244 jails nationwide and the effective implementation of non-custodial measures.
The House further mandate the House Committee on interior to ensure compliance.