The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo has disclosed the reason why some inmates are held in custodial centres across the country.
He explained that the reason is because of their inability to pay various fines as pronounced by the judges and magistrates.
Tunji-Ojo stated that over 4,000 inmates are held in custodial centres due to this situation
The minister stated this on Saturday when the Ambassador of the European Union to Nigeria, Samuela Isopi visited him at his office in Abuja, according to a statement by his adviser, Alao Babatunde.
According to him, “Over 70 per cent of the 79,000 inmates are awaiting trial.
“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.”
He called on the EU to support Nigeria in making available technology to buffer and enhance border management architecture within the country.
“If we are able to solve crime and migration problems in Nigeria, Africa will be better for it,” he added.
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