The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has brought to light a concerning issue in Nigeria’s custodial centers. He disclosed that more than 4,000 Nigerians currently held in these facilities are incarcerated solely because they are unable to pay fines imposed on them by judges and magistrates.
During a meeting with the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria and West Africa, Samuela Isopi, in Abuja, Minister Tunji-Ojo explained the gravity of the situation. He highlighted the persistence of this problem and the dire consequences it has on the lives of those trapped in the correctional system.
The Minister called for support from the European Union in implementing various reforms within the Ministry of Interior. He emphasized the importance of exploring non-custodial alternatives as provided for in the Correctional Service Act to address this issue.
“We have over 4000 inmates in the facilities for their inability to pay various fines. We believe we can reduce the number of inmates in our correctional facilities by about forty per cent if we explore non-custodial alternatives as provided for in the Correctional Service Act,” Tunji-Ojo stated.
Furthermore, Minister Tunji-Ojo sought the EU’s assistance in implementing critical reforms related to migration and the reformation of Nigeria’s correctional centers. He proposed the deployment of technology to enhance border management architecture and address migration challenges.
The Minister stressed that the European Union’s support is crucial, considering the impact of crime and migration problems in Nigeria, which also affect the EU due to shared boundaries.
In addition to the issue of unpaid fines, the Minister addressed the problem of congestion in correctional facilities, with over 70 percent of the 79,000 inmates being held in pre-trial detention. This underscores the urgent need for comprehensive reforms to improve the justice system and ensure the fair and humane treatment of individuals within the correctional system.
