As part of efforts toward decongesting the Nigerian Prisons, The Metropolitan Grand Knight of the Order of the Knights of Saint Mulumba, organised a conference on prison reforms with the Theme” The administration of Nigerian Criminal Justice and Reform of the Penal Code.”
Speaking at the conference the Metropolitan Grand Knights of Saint Mulumba, said that the cost of to feeding awaiting trial inmates in Nigeria is N5.5billion per year.
Sir Patrick Ikemefuna said this during the prison reform conference in Lagos, that Nigeria has over 30,000 awaiting inmates and that the cost of feeding them per day is N15million.
According to Ikemefuna, he said that out of the total of 45,000 inmates in the Nigerian prison about 30,000 are awaiting trial, which has made the prisons to be congested.
Adding that the Ikoyi prisons was designed to accommodate 400 inmates but as at today there are about 1,600 inmates in the prison, while some have spent up to 10years without trial and others have spent 5 to 19 years on trial.
Ikemefuna, who was expressing his gratitude to the Chief Judge of Lagos state Justice Ayotunde Philips, said her passion for the problems of inmates in Nigeria prison has led to the release of 250 inmates at both Kirikiri and Ikoyi prisons within her short period of becoming the chief Judge of the state.
He said that some of the inmates were suffering from various diseases which includes tuberculosis and other communicable diseases.
Those that are present at the event included a Justice of the Supreme court, Rev Matthew Kukah, Bishop of Sokoto. Mr Olasupo Sasore, SAN and the former Attorney general and commissioner of justice of Lagos state.
He said that their prison ministration and visits to Lagos, Abeokuta and Ijebu Ode have revealed the problems of inmates in all parts of Nigeria, adding that Nigerians are locked up for long periods for mere loitering and wandering offences.
Ikemefuna, in his welcome address said that Nigerians are languishing in prisons for misdemeanors because of their inability to pay minor fines or get legal representations, adding that women even get pregnant and have babies in prisons as well as cases of children and minors.
He further said that the problems and challenges of the Nigerian prisons necessitated the conference, urging authorities and institutions of government on need for reforms.
Ikemefuna, added that efforts are being made to amend the constitutional and legislative framework and that the National Assembly is presently debating a bill on prison reforms which is seeking sustainable options to raise the standards in Nigeria, policies that focus on correction, reformation and rehabilitation of inmates.
Also speaking, Mr Olasupo Shasore, in his keynote address, said,“Every person is entitled to respect for the dignity of his person and accordingly, no person shall be subjected to torture or to inhuman or degrading treatment.”
Shasore, said awaiting trial process ATP at present constitutes over 60 percent of the prison population, the average detention period hovers between 3 to 7 and 4 to 5 years.
He stated that for the first time in Nigeria section347(1) and (2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law, 2011 of Lagos State clearly states the purpose of community service as a distinct alternative to a sentence or fine. It also empowers the appointment of community service officers.
He noted that the “Administration of Criminal Justice Law 2011 ACJL, a new Section 76 (4) was added to set out rules to protect the rights of defendants engaged in a plea bargain agreement.”
Source: Vanguard
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