The Nigerian Correctional Service reveals that 3,688 inmates are on death row, highlighting challenges such as overcrowding and delays in executions

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has revealed that a total of 3,688 inmates are currently on death row across various correctional facilities in the country.

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This disclosure was made by the acting Comptroller General of NCoS, Sylvester Nwakuche, during his appearance before the Senate Committee on Interior.

Nwakuche, in his statement on Wednesday, expressed concern over the growing number of inmates awaiting trial, alongside the increasing challenges in managing correctional facilities.

He highlighted the state’s governors’ reluctance to sign death warrants, which has only worsened the situation.

“Inmates on death row are now 3,688, up from 3,590 in September 2024,” Nwakuche said. “State governors are part of our challenges.

They refuse to execute inmates on death row, nor do they commute their sentences to life imprisonment.”

This ongoing issue, according to Nwakuche, has contributed significantly to the congestion of correctional facilities.

He stressed that commuting death sentences to life imprisonment would ease overcrowding, especially in urban correctional centres, which are facing severe space shortages.

“If they commute death sentences to life imprisonment, it will be easier for us to distribute inmates across rural correctional facilities that are less congested,” he added.

The acting NCoS boss pointed out that the current system is heavily impacted by the slow pace of the judicial process, which often leaves inmates in detention for extended periods before their cases are resolved.

Nwakuche emphasised the importance of collaboration between various security agencies, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Police, the Nigeria Immigration Service, and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), to address these issues.

He also called for more coordination with the Directorate of State Security (DSS) and the Attorney-General’s office to expedite legal processes and reduce the backlog of cases.

“The delay in the judicial process has exacerbated the conditions of our facilities. Some inmates stay in our centres for up to six years before their cases are resolved, even when they should have been acquitted.

We need collaboration from all relevant agencies to decongest our prisons,” he urged.

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Senator Adams Oshiomhole, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Interior, assured that the committee would submit a report based on the performance of Nwakuche and the ongoing efforts to improve Nigeria’s correctional system.