Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) have raised concerns over the alarming number of awaiting trial inmates in Nigeria’s correctional centers. During a meeting in Adamawa State, hosted by the Public & Private Development Centre (PPDC), the groups noted that approximately 70% of inmates in these facilities are still awaiting trial.
The CSOs revealed that by December 2023, more than 53,000 inmates were awaiting trial across 253 correctional centers in the country. They emphasized that this growing number poses severe human rights concerns, further overwhelming the already strained justice system and correctional facilities.
In a statement signed by PPDC’s Head of Communications and Knowledge Management, Munachi Okoro, the organization described the lengthy detention of pre-trial inmates—many of whom have been held for years in dire conditions—as a pressing issue.
The Yola meeting brought together key stakeholders from the justice sector to discuss strategies for providing pro bono (free) legal services and other interventions to expedite the trials of those awaiting trial. Several representatives of NGOs and CSOs at the meeting highlighted their ongoing efforts and committed to renewed actions aimed at speeding up court processes.
