Lagos – Babatunde Elijah, Primate, Inri Evangelical Spiritual Church on Saturday called on the judiciary to ensure speedy trials of inmates to decongest prisons across the country.
Elijah told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that those who are awaiting trial needed to be speedily tried and convicted or acquitted.
NAN reports that most prisons in Nigeria accommodate more than double their capacities.
Kaduna Central Prison which was built in 1915 with a capacity for 547 inmates now has 954 prisoners.
Bauchi prison which was built in 1920 for 500 prisoners only now has 1,041; Nsukka prison which has the capacity for 180 inmates now houses 500 prisoners.
The Cleric said that some of the inmates awaiting trial have stayed for years behind bars without being charged to court
“Nigerians are made to spend months and years in incarceration even without being proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction,’’ he observed.
He urged the judiciary to adopt the parole system to restore sanity in the Nigerian criminal justice system.
“Over congestion in Nigerian prisons has been a major issue in the criminal administration system of the country
“Physical and sanitary conditions in these prisons are deplorable and unconducive while rehabilitation programmes are inadequate,” he added.
He called on state governors to use the instrument of executive pardon to decongest the prisons.
The Primate also called on NGOs and well-meaning individuals to engage the services of pro-Bono lawyers for free legal services to enable such inmates regain freedom.
“This choking prison environment is mainly responsible for recent jailbreaks in various prisons in the country.
“The other important area is to take care of those who have been convicted, knowing that they are there for reformation.
“They should be given the opportunity to have access to vocational training so that when they come out they will be useful to the society and they will be reintegrated into normal life.
“Nigerians need to know that people who have committed crimes and have paid their dues by serving terms in the prison need to be given a chance to settle back into society.
“We should be able to recognise the fact that people can change, so Nigerians need to change their attitude towards prisoners, we need to give them another chance just as God gives all of us another chance.”