Concerned with the rising number of awaiting trial inmates across the country, Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has urged for the implementation of restorative justice and non-custodial penalties in the Nigerian legal system to help decongest correctional facilities.
Oborevwori stated during the inauguration of members of the State Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy at Government House in Asaba that “Currently, the total number of inmates in the state’s five custodial centres is 2,371, out of which 1,545 are awaiting trial.”
He stated that the Prerogative of Mercy, “sometimes called clemency or state pardon or amnesty,” was a useful tool in the administration of criminal justice as it helps to decongest our prisons.
Those inaugurated were Hon. Justice Celestina Ogisi (Rtd) Chairman; Prof. Louis Ikechukwu Ojogwu; Alexander Neyin; Dr Iris Jewo Ibi; Augustine Ezeagwu Esq.; Festus Onyeaju Members while Mrs Uju Monye would serve as Secretary.
Oborevwori said: “As part of the continuous effort of the government to address issues of congestion with awaiting trial inmates, the State Government passed the Administration of Criminal Justice Law 2022.
“The Law is aimed at addressing the several challenges that confronted the administration of the criminal justice system over the years. The Law modernizes and promotes efficiency, fairness, and accountability in the administration of the criminal justice system in the state.
“Part of the innovations of the law is to ensure that the issue of restorative justice and non-custodial sentences are encouraged. Hence, rather than send all offenders to custodial centres to congest the already filled up centres, offenders can be made to undergo community service,”
The Governor urged the Advisory Council to develop practical action plans for the full reintegration of released prisoners into society. Responding on behalf of the Advisory Council, the Chairman, Justice Celestina Ogisi (Rtd.) thanked Governor Oborevwori for considering them worthy to serve the state and pledged to work within the guidelines governing the Council's activities.
Ogisi stated that the issue of congestion in the state's correctional facilities would be thoroughly investigated to investigate the possibility of decongesting them.
