The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) says 53,473 prisoners awaiting trial in custodial centres across the country are on death row. In a document released on Monday during the national joint security press briefing at the National Orientation Agency (NOA) headquarters in Abuja, the NCoS said as of July 24, the total inmate population stood at 81,558, comprising 79,615 males and 1,943 females.

NCoS said 24,252 are convicted inmates, while 3,833 are on death row. The service also supervises 476 non-custodial offenders and has recorded 3,026 new admissions and 3,347 discharges during the review period.

NCoS said to enhance identity management and security within custodial centres, over 60,000 inmates have been enrolled on the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) database.

“In line with the expansion of non-custodial measures, the Service now supervises more than 6,000 offenders under community service, probation, restorative justice, and related regimes,” the document reads.

“Justice delivery continues to benefit from the service’s collaboration with state chief judges to facilitate jail delivery exercises. Additionally, the NCoS has actively participated in prerogative of mercy committees across several states, offering technical guidance on clemency and pardon processes.” (The Guardian)