By Jemimah Wellington, JKNewsMedia Correspondent
MORE THAN two-thirds of inmates in Nigeria’s correctional facilities are awaiting trial, according to the Federal Government, which also revealed that the majority are state offenders whose upkeep is funded by the federal system.
Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, disclosed the figures during an appearance on Politics Today, a current affairs programme aired on Channels Television.
He stated that approximately 67 per cent of inmates are yet to be tried, while about 72 per cent are offenders under state jurisdiction.
Minister Ojo explained that the Tinubu administration is seeking stronger collaboration between the federal and state governments to address the challenges facing correctional facilities nationwide.
“We can work out a synergy. States that want to have their own correctional centres are entitled to do so by law, and the federal government also has the mandate.
“But we must understand that about 72 per cent of our inmates are state offenders and about 67 per cent are awaiting trials,” Tunji-Ojo said.
He noted that this imbalance places a significant financial responsibility on the federal system, which is currently responsible for maintaining the majority of facilities and inmates, regardless of whether offences are under state or federal jurisdiction.
Tunji-Ojo emphasised that the government is not focused on shifting blame but on producing results. Citing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive, he reiterated that elected leaders must prioritise solutions over excuses.
“We were elected to produce results, not to make excuses.
“As a government, we will interface with our governors and come together to have a shared strategy towards solving these correctional problems,” he said.
The Minister pointed to recent progress in prison decongestion efforts. In July, the government authorised the release of 4,550 inmates after reviewing minor and prolonged cases.
He said these measures were part of an ongoing strategy to relieve overcrowding, which has been a persistent challenge in the correctional system.
Despite acknowledging poor conditions in facilities as recently as 2023, Tunji-Ojo reported that significant resources have been invested over the last two years to improve infrastructure and inmate welfare.
He said the administration’s long-term aim is to ensure that correctional facilities operate within acceptable standards while maintaining the principles of justice and rehabilitation.
