President of the Nigerian Society for Criminology (NSC), Professor Oludayo Tade, on Monday called on the judiciary to make greater use of non-custodial sentences for less serious offences, as part of broader efforts to reform Nigeria’s correctional system.

 

Speaking in Ibadan following the society’s international conference held at the University of Abuja, themed “Correctional Service Reformation in Nigeria: Promoting Justice, Rehabilitation, and Social Reintegration,” Prof. Tade emphasized the urgent need to decongest the nation’s overcrowded correctional facilities.

 

He noted that out of the total inmate population of 81,234 in Nigeria, 53,234—representing 66%—are awaiting trial. This, he said, significantly contributes to prison congestion and systemic delays in justice delivery.

 

“The high number of pre-trial detainees not only strains correctional facilities but also affects the wellbeing of prison personnel and undermines the inmates’ access to timely justice,” Prof. Tade said.

 

Also speaking at the conference, the Controller-General of Corrections, Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche, delivered a keynote address titled “2019 Correctional Service Act: Challenges and Prospects for Effective Implementation.” He advocated for the co-location of courts and custodial centres, arguing that it would speed up judicial processes and reduce the logistical difficulties associated with transporting inmates.

 

Represented by Dr. Tukura Yakubu, a Controller of Corrections, Nwakuche also emphasized the importance of integrating technology into the justice system.

 

“Adopting technology in investigations, court trials, and corrections can revolutionize access to justice,” he said, urging stakeholders to harness technological tools for better efficiency.

 

In a call to the legal community, the Controller-General urged lawyers to increase their pro-bono legal services to inmates who cannot afford representation, describing it as a critical step in ensuring justice for all.

 

The conference brought together key stakeholders from the judiciary, correctional services, academia, and civil society to deliberate on sustainable reforms for Nigeria’s criminal justice system.