A non-governmental organisation, Zarephath Aid, has raised concerns over the alarming number of pre-trial inmates in the nation’s correctional facilities, which it describes as a failure of the criminal justice system.
Speaking during a media briefing, Ben Abraham, the organisation’s founder, stated that approximately 80% of inmates in Nigeria’s correctional centres are awaiting trial.
This situation, he said, directly contravenes the principles of human rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), adopted by the United Nations 76 years ago.
“Human rights are fundamental and intrinsic to our humanity,” Abraham noted, just as he added that: “Yet, in Nigeria, delayed trials are effectively adjudging many individuals guilty without giving them an opportunity to defend themselves.
This is unacceptable.” The group identified the absence of prosecution witnesses during trials, lack of transport to convey inmates to court, administrative delays caused by the transfer or retirement of judges, and prolonged delays in receiving advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) as some of the systemic flaws contributing to the crisis.
Abraham said: “Some inmates have languished for over a decade awaiting trial. Among them were Moses Abiodun and Kazeem Adeshina, who spent 16 years in custody due to unresolved administrative bottlenecks before their recent release through Zarephath Aid’s legal aid intervention.”
The group called for a comprehensive facility audits, tasking the Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee tor to achieve greater prospects in innovation, efficiency, and economy, there must be a deliberate effort to remove all bureaucratic constraints to project evaluation by the BPP.
He highlighted the Bureau’s core mandates, which include promoting accountability, ensuring consistency in pricing, enhancing contract execution effectiveness, and delivering value for money.
The minister urged the Bureau to view delays as one of the greatest obstacles to achieving the Bureau’s objectives. He said: “We seek closer cooperation and collaboration to enable the ministry to fast-track delivery of the road infrastructure projects inherited and those initiated by the Renewed Hope administration.
“When we came on board, we insisted on best practices and we introduced innovations to ensure we give Nigerians enduring road infrastructure that is fit for purpose. “We therefore need a collaborative resolve to end unnecessary delays in the procurement processes.”
According to him, different procurement methods, including restrictive, selective and competitive bidding measures, are geared towards achieving value for money and effective service delivery.
Adedokun said: “The interesting thing about you is that you don’t fail in your duty, which I have observed. “You start, you end with something unique about you, and you’re passionate about what you want to do.
We are glad when you extended the invitation for us to come here. “We know you see BPP as a worthy partner towards ensuring that Mr. President’s objectives in respect of road infrastructure are achieved timely, transparently, and well-accounted.” (ACJMC) and similar state committees to work with NGOs in auditing all correctional facilities to identify stalled cases.
It equally called for the establishment of ad-hoc panels of retired magistrates and judges to expedite the issuance of DPP advice, and the full engagement of NGOs to assist in decongesting prisons, and replicating successful programmes from past administrations.
The organisation emphasised that tackling these issues requires political will and cooperation across all sectors of the justice system.
