 has spent over N3.3 billion on feeding awaiting trial inmates over two months){kind=link}
The Nigerian Correctional Service has spent over #3bn on feeding awaiting trial inmates over the curse of two months.
This significant expenditure is attributed to the rising population of inmates and the recent increase in feeding allowance per inmate.
As of early January 2025, the number of awaiting-trial inmates stood at 48,932, which rose to 53,254 by the end of February. This increase in inmate population has significantly impacted the NCoS budget, with the service struggling to provide adequate facilities and services to the growing number of inmates.
President Bola Tinubu’s decision to raise the feeding allowance per inmate from N750 to N1,125 per day has contributed to the increased expenditure. While the increase in feeding allowance is a welcome development, it has added to the financial burden on the NCoS.
The backlog of awaiting trial cases has resulted in prolonged detention for many inmates, adding to the financial burden on the NCoS. Prolonged detention also has severe implications for the inmates, including psychological trauma, loss of livelihood, and strained family relationships.
The acting Controller-General of the NCoS, Sylvester Nwakuche, has pledged to tackle the backlog of awaiting trial cases. Nwakuche plans to engage with critical stakeholders, including state chief judges, attorneys-general, and the Inspector-General of Police, to expedite the trial process.
Nwakuche also emphasized the need for collaboration with state executives and judicial authorities to encourage the use of non-custodial measures, such as parole and community service, to reduce the influx of inmates. This collaborative approach is expected to help decongest the correctional facilities and reduce the financial burden on the NCoS.
The NCoS’s expenditure of over N3.3 billion on feeding inmates is a significant challenge that requires urgent attention. The rising population of inmates, increased feeding allowance, and prolonged detention all contribute to this challenge. The efforts of the NCoS, led by the acting Controller-General, Sylvester Nwakuche, to address these challenges are commendable, and it is hoped that these efforts will yield positive results.