Minister of Interior, Mr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo
Over 70% of inmates in correctional centres awaiting trial – Minister
Minister of Interior, Mr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has claimed that over 70 per cent of the total 79,000 inmates inside the country’s various correctional facilities are on the awaiting trial list.
The minister further disclosed that over 4, 000 inmates are being held in correctional centres over failure to pay fines slammed on them by judges and magistrates.
The minister who disclosed this, Saturday, during a meeting with the Ambassador of the European Union (EU) to Nigeria, Samuela Isopi, who visited him at his office in Abuja, noted that the number of inmates in correctional facilities would reduce to 40 per cent if non-custodial alternatives as provided for in the Correctional Service Act are explored.
”Over 70 per cent of the 79,000 inmates are awaiting trial.
“We have over 4000 inmates in the facilities for their inability to pay various fines. We believe we can reduce the number of inmates in our correctional facilities by about forty per cent if we explore non-custodial alternatives as provided for in the Correctional Service Act.”
The minister told the ambassador that the EU could support Nigeria in deploying technology to buffer and enhance border management architecture within the country.
“The European Union is important to the socio-economic development of Nigeria. Our relationship with the EU is historical in terms of but not limited to bilateral support.
“If we are able to solve crime and migration problems in Nigeria, Africa will be better for it. Due to the boundaries, Africa shares with the EU, our problems are more of an EU problem than any other part of the world. And, because we are committed to solving this, we will explore all avenues,” Mr. Tunji-Ojo said.
The Minister further disclosed that his ministry was working on key reforms, especially in areas of travel documentation processes and knowledge transfer.
“We have commenced the process to tackle problems in our international passport application and collection process. Today, we have made huge progress. We are also working on ways to reduce identity theft. We want to make sure the green passport regains its pride and integrity,” he said.
