3,590 Nigerian Inmates on Death Row, Over 57,000 Awaiting Trial
The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has revealed that no fewer than 3,590 inmates across the country are on death row, highlighting ongoing challenges within the nation’s criminal justice system.
This was disclosed by the NCoS Public Relations Officer, Assistant Controller of Corrections Abubakar Umar, during a briefing with the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja on Wednesday.
Umar detailed that, as of September 3, 2024, the total inmate population across custodial centers in Nigeria stood at 84,741, with the overwhelming majority being males. Specifically, the inmate population consists of 82,821 males and 1,920 females.
Within this inmate population, Umar disclosed that 3,590 are on death row.
“The total number of inmates on death row is made up of 3,517 males and 73 females, making a total of 3,590,” he said.
Another concern raised by the NCoS is the high number of Awaiting Trial Inmates (ATI), which constitutes the bulk of the custodial population. Umar revealed that a total of 57,750 inmates are awaiting trial, with 56,303 males and 1,447 females.
“The high number of awaiting trial inmates presents a significant challenge for the service,” Umar stated.
Noting that the backlog of ATI cases has been a persistent challenge, straining the resources and capacity of the correctional system, Umar said that the issue is a priority for the NCoS, with efforts underway to expedite judicial processes and reduce the prolonged detention of unconvicted individuals.
“Thanks to the initiative and support of the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, we have reduced the inmate population by releasing 4,063 individuals who were offered the option of paying fines or compensation,” he said.
The NCoS is also expanding its efforts through the construction of new facilities, promoting community sentencing, and enhancing court logistics to further address custodial congestion and improve the overall efficiency of the justice system.
