A civil society organisation is advocating for reforms especially in pre-trial case management as a way to decongest correctional facilities in Nigeria
The group says this will also increase the much desired access to justice in Nigeria.
Many groups, especially advocates of human rights have raised concerns over the congestion in Nigerian correctional facilities
The 240 facilities in Nigeria, meant to accommodate about 50 thousand inmates, is currently a home to over 75 thousand inmates, with about 70 percent of them awaiting trial.
This is the reason Public and Private Development Centre with support from the United States Government is launching 2 projects
Reforming pre-trial detention in Nigeria phase II projects
These projects do not only fast track justice but also reduce cases of criminality
Different speakers at the access to justice parley stressed on the need for a solution
The CSO says they’ve set a goal to provide legal representation for 1,750 inmates yearly to ensure fairness, prompt hearing, efficiency, justice but also decongest the facilities.
