Prison Congestion: Hold States Responsible – Aregbesola

By Ayodele Oni

States have been identified as culprits in prison congestion as most offenders in correctional centres are awaiting trial suspects.

The Minister fo6 Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, who spoke through one of his Aides, Sola Fasure, in Ibadan, Oyo state, during a Radio programme, Thursday  stated that: “What we need more than anything else is for State Governments, because 99 per cent of most offenders are state offenders… They are the ones awaiting trial and occupying most of the spaces.

“The Federal Government had proposed at a time that they should build holding centers that the NCS will help them staff and manage.

“And then to accelerate the wheel of justice so that justice will be quickly dispensed. So that we don’t have awaiting inmates facing trial in custody for long.

“The State Governments can help tremendously along this line, building holding centers and accelerating the wheel of justice.

“As you are aware, more  percentage of all inmates in correctional facilities are awaiting trial. That really creates problem for accommodation.”

“The lawyers use adjournment to frustrate justice. The State Governments can actually do a review and eliminate adjournment so that justice will be quickly delivered.”

The Minister also spoke on the promise by the Oyo State Governor, Mr Seyi Makinde, that he would provide facilities including CCTV at Abolongo Correctional Center centre, which was bombed last Saturday by yet to be identified gunmen.

“With due regard to Governor Makinde, I am not sure if the Governor has such power that something of such nature should be done in a correctional facility.

“It would be taken as an advisory opinion. In the spirit of the moment, everybody is so concerned as some statement would be made but not necessarily because they are the right one to be made.

“There is an ongoing upgrade programmes of all correctional facility in the country. It is unfortunate it has not got to Abolongo before the incident happened.

“So the Federal Government is building a 3000-capacity facility in the 6 geo-political zones. Two are almost ready-the ones in Abuja and Kano. Each facility will have its own court. So the problem of taking suspects to court will be sorted.

“The issue of the upgrade of facility is squarely within the jurisdiction of the ministry of interior and the NCS. State government do not have holding centers of Correctional Facility.

“But like I said the other time, if the State Governments want to assist, they will make their intention known to the appropriate authorities. And the help will be greatly appreciated.”