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General News of Tuesday, 21 April 2020

Source: www.mynigeria.com

Presidency seeks to reduce the population of prison inmates nationwide

President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.)

President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) has called for urgent measures towards the speedy trial of cases and decongestion of custodial centres in the country in view of #Covid19 pandemic.

In a letter to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, the President drew His Lordship’s attention to the recent call by the United Nations on all countries “to consciously reduce the population of prison inmates.

Since physical distancing and self-isolation in such conditions are practically impossible.

According to Buhari, “From available records, the inmates' population at various custodial centres across the country presently stands at about 74,127 out of which 52,226 are Awaiting Trial Persons

“Most of these custodial centres are presently housing inmates beyond their capacities and the overcrowded facilities pose a potent threat to the health of the inmates and the public in general in view of the present circumstances, hence the need for urgent steps to bring the situation under control.”

“It has become imperative for Your Lordship to request State Chief Judges to embark on an immediate visit to all custodial/correctional centres within their respective States to identify and release deserving inmates where that has not been done already," he added.

He noted that during such visits, “the Chief Judges are enjoined to consider conditional or unconditional release of ATPs who have spent 6 years or more in custody. ATPs who have no confirmed criminal cases against them, aged inmates and terminally ill may be discharged.”

“It is expected that particular attention should be on the aged, those with health issues, low-risk offenders, those with no sufficient legal basis to remain in custody, inmates convicted for minor offences with or without option of fines and inmates who have less than 3 years term left to serve having served a substantial term of their service for offences that attract 5 years and above.”