By CHARLES IWUOHA

The Chairman, House Committee on Reformatory Institutions and Member Representing Ikwo/Ezza South Federal Constituency of Ebonyi State, Hon. Chinedu Ogah, has called for urgent reforms in Nigeria’s correctional system to reduce the rising population of awaiting trial inmates in the different Correctional Centers across the country.

Hon Ogah who described the situation as worrisome maintained that awaiting trial inmates now account for 64 percent of the total custodial population nationwide.

He made the observation during the 2026 budget defence session after the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Correctional Service, Sylvester Nwakuche, disclosed that pre-trial detainees constitute 64 percent of inmates across custodial centres in the country.

Nwakuche has explained that the high number of awaiting trial inmates continues to worsen congestion and overstretch correctional facilities nationwide.

He made the disclosure while presenting the agency’s 2025 budget performance and 2026 budget estimates before the House Committee on Reformatory Institutions.

The Comptroller-General described the Nigeria Correctional Service as a vital pillar of the nation’s criminal justice system, tasked with providing both custodial and non-custodial services, ensuring the safe custody of legally detained persons, as well as facilitating their rehabilitation and reintegration into society.

On the implications of the rising number to justice delivery, human rights, and the overall integrity of the criminal justice system, Hon Ogah called for urgent and comprehensive reforms, stressing the need for improved funding, modernised infrastructure, and accelerated presidential assent to the Correctional Service Trust Fund Bill.

He reaffirmed the Committee’s commitment to strengthening legislative oversight and advancing policies aimed at decongesting correctional centres, enhancing rehabilitation programmes, and repositioning the Nigeria Correctional Service for greater efficiency and effectiveness in line with global best practices.

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