House Resolves to Host Investigative Hearing on Prison Reforms
The House of Representatives during its sitting on Tuesday, January 30, 2018 has mandated its Committees on Interior, Human Rights, Federal Judiciary, FCT Judiciary and Police Affairs to conduct an investigative hearing on prison reforms. The Committee was also directed to look out for specific challenges, in terms of infrastructure, administration of criminal justice system and other factors that could facilitate the decongestion and reform of the prison system in Nigeria. The resolution came on the heel of a motion moved by Hon. Olufemi Fakeye informing that Nigerian prisons are indeed in squalid and sorry state, and need urgent attention.
He informed that the level of congestion in prisons across the country has become so alarming that they no longer serve as correctional facilities or reformation centers for inmates. He added that statistics from relevant organizations like the Prisoners’ Rehabilitation and Welfare Action (PRAWA) and Nigerian Prison Service (NPS) have indicated that only 21,354 inmates comprising 21,009 males and 345 females are convicts. Hon. Fakeye said that the remaining 46,756 inmates comprising 45,765 males and 991 females are awaiting trial.
The lawmakers largely attributed the cause of the congestion to delayed investigation and judicial process. He stated that in virtually all the prisons, the inmates are exposed to epidemic.
Moreover, "that anti-social behaviours and moral decadence, ranging from homosexuality to other forms of human abuse had also become common features of the prisons".
Other Representatives who lent their voices in support of the motion, decried the deteriorating state of the country's prisons as well as sued for drastic action to be taken. They further averred that remanding accused persons to the already overcrowded prisons by the courts has not helped the situation.
The Criminal Justice (2015) Act, is to ensure efficient and effective criminal justice system, which includes prison reforms, they posited.
The Speaker of the House mandated the Standing Committee to investigate the matter and report back to the House within six weeks.