The President, Nigeria Society for Criminology (NSC), Professor Oludayo Tade, on Monday, urged the Judiciary to use non-custodial sentences more for less serious offences as one of the ways to decongest Nigeria’s overcrowded custodial facilities and reduce the number of inmates awaiting trial.

Tade stressed the urgency of addressing the high number of awaiting-trial inmates, noting that 53,234 (66 per cent) of the total inmate population (81,234) are awaiting trial, contributing significantly to overcrowding and systemic inefficiencies.
Tade stated that the number of awaiting trial inmates in Nigeria’s custodial facilities impacts the welfare of both correctional service personnel and the inmates’ desire to access justice.

The NSC president stated this while speaking in Ibadan at the just-concluded 3rd International Conference of the Society, themed “Correctional service reformation in Nigeria: Promoting justice, rehabilitation, and social reintegration.”
The keynote speaker at the conference was the Controller-General of Corrections, Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche, who spoke on “2019 Correctional Service Act: Challenges and prospects for effective implementation.”

Represented by the Controller of Corrections, Dr Tukura Yakubu, the Controller-General advocated for the co-location of courts and custodial facilities, which, according to him, would expedite justice dispensation and alleviate some of the logistical challenges associated with transporting inmates to courts.

He also advocated for the use of technology to enhance access to justice and expedite the resolution of cases before the courts. “Technology adaptation in investigation, trial and corrections is possible if we leverage on technology,” he said.
The CGC also implored legal practitioners to increase their interventions “by way of offering pro bono services to inmates that can not afford legal representation.”

While thanking the federal government for the ongoing improvement of custodial centres, among other ongoing renovations, he requested more logistical support across all levels of government, particularly from state and local governments.

In his goodwill message, Director General State Security Services, Oluwatosin Ajayi who was represented by the Assistant Director, Criminal Cases Department, Directorate of Legal Services, Cynthia Uche Orjinta (Esq) noted that the theme of the conference resonates with the collective aspiration for a just and equitable society, adding that “true justice encompasses the reformation (of offenders) and their successful reintegration as productive members of the society. This requires a holistic approach that addresses the immediate needs of the inmates as well as systemic issues that contribute to crime and recidivism.”

According to Tade, the journal of the society, the Nigeria Journal of Criminology and Security Studies, was inaugurated at the conference by the Secretary of the Board of Trustees of the Society, Professor Hawa’u Evelyn Yusuf, who lauded the executive and the editorial board for their achievements.