The Controller of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Oyo State Command, Mr. Ayoola Opadeji, has revealed that more than 1,400 inmates across custodial facilities in the state are currently awaiting trial.
Speaking in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Ibadan on Monday, Opadeji described the situation as alarming, noting that overcrowding has stretched the facilities far beyond their intended capacity.
“At the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Agodi, which was originally built to accommodate 390 inmates, we now have 1,240. Out of these, 1,001 are awaiting trial,” he said.
The controller further disclosed that the Abolongo Custodial Centre in Oyo, which was designed for 160 inmates, is housing 514, with 439 of them yet to face trial.
According to him, the total inmate population in the state currently stands at 1,817, of which 377 have already been convicted and are serving various jail terms.
Opadeji explained that the command, in collaboration with the government and the judiciary, is working to reduce congestion in the centres.
He listed some of the measures being considered to include community service for minor offenders, jail delivery exercises (visits of chief judges to correctional centres), speedy trial of cases, and state pardons.
“We are engaging the state government and the Attorney-General on the possibility of granting amnesty or pardon to some inmates. This will go a long way in easing the pressure on our facilities,” he added.
The controller assured that the service remains committed to safeguarding inmates’ rights while ensuring that justice is not delayed unnecessarily.
