President Muhammadu Buhari has called for urgent measures towards the speedy trial of cases and decongestion of custodial centres in the country in view of COVID-19 pandemic.
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In a letter to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, the President drew His Lordship’s attention to the recent call by the United Nations on all countries to consciously reduce the population of prison inmates since physical distancing and self-isolation in such conditions are practically impossible.
President Buhari said available records show that the inmates population at various custodial centres across the country presently stands at about 74,127 out of which 52,226 are Awaiting Trial Persons, ATPs.
In view of the above scenario, the President said it has become imperative for His Lordship to request State Chief Judges to embark on immediate visit to all custodial or correctional centres within their respective states to identify and release deserving inmates where that has not been done already.
He noted that during such visits, the Chief Judges are enjoined to consider conditional or unconditional release of ATPs who have spent 6 years or more in custody. ATPs who have no confirmed criminal cases against them, aged inmates and terminally ill may be discharged.
President Buhari in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adeshina said a report on the proposed visits is expected to be forwarded to the Presidential Committee on Correctional Service Reform and Decongestion Secretariat in the Federal Ministry of Justice, Abuja for compilation and onward transmission to his office.
He also suggested to the Chief Justice of Nigeria to at this stage, consider taking immediate steps as appropriate to ensure the setting up or designation of Special Courts in all States, including the FCT, to try cases of armed robbery, banditry, kidnapping and other serious offences, in order to facilitate speedy trials.
In addition, President Buhari said there is the need to ensure that the Chief Judges of States and FCT High Courts direct lower courts to comply with requirements of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law in issuing remand warrants in criminal cases especially in cases which are not within their jurisdiction.
The President also says this will regulate the volume of entry of Awaiting Trial Inmates into custodial centres.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
