FG Pledges Speedy Trial Of Inmates

THE Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, says the Federal Government is work­ing assiduously to accelerate the judicial process, aiming at speedy trial of inmates.

Tunji-Ojo spoke yesterday, dur­ing an unscheduled inspection visit to the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Kuje, Abuja, adding that gov­ernment is committed to decongest­ing correctional centers.

He said that the ministry is work­ing closely with the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) to bridge the gap in the time frame for conviction of inmates.

“We are working together, look­ing at inmates that perhaps have spent more time awaiting trial than they would have suffered or spent if they were convicted.

“In this particular facility, over 200 inmates are con­victed while about 804 are awaiting trials, so, we have to design a methodology by being innovative.

“In the next couple of weeks or months, you are go­ing to see drastic reduction in the number of inmates that we have.

“I want to assure you that we are working very closely with the AGF on ways to decongest our correctional centers,” he said.

The minister, however, said that a lot of work was still needed to be done across the 240 correctional centers across the country.

He said that the ministry would embark on scheduled visits to other correctional centers outside the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

“We will be able to see things for ourselves so that both the ministry, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and other stakeholders will know the right way to intervene in the situation of the correctional service.”

While emphasizing the need for collaboration among stakeholders to ensure timely justice delivery, he lauded the dedication of correctional service personnel towards ensuring inmates are properly catered.

The NBA President, Afam Osigwe, in his remarks said that he had requested for the data of inmates awaiting trial and to know if there were cases pending against them.

“This will help the NBA probe on new units and how lawyers can also come in to move for their release.

“Also, for persons who may have spent longer time than they would spent if they were convicted; to see the process we can put in place to get them released,” he said.