70 per cent of prisoners on awaiting trial -Adoke
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- Category: Society
- Published on Monday, 05 December 2011 08:12
- Written by Admin
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The Federal Government has again emphasised the urgent need to de-congest prisons across the country, confirming that about 70 per cent of the entire prison population constitute Awaiting Trial Persons (ATPs).
He said the government would vigorously pursue measures to address the disturbing statistics in Nigerian prisons.
Adoke who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry and the Solicitor General of the Federation Dr. Abdulahi Yola, stated that statistics revealed that over 70 per cent of the entire prison population are Awaiting Trial Persons (ATPs).
“I expect this forum to address the root causes of our present disturbing statistics which put awaiting trial persons population at approximately 70 per cent of the entire prison population, this figure is indefensible and must not be allowed to persist as it reflects negatively on our entire criminal justice, both within and outside the country,” he said.
He stated further that new initiatives should be adopted by the nation’s criminal justice sector so as to give the system a humane face.
According to him, if the country must achieve its objective of a more humane and efficient system which upholds the dignity of all persons in accordance with global practice, new strategies must be inducted into the system.
“There is, therefore, a need for constant review of relevant statutes and policies which, despite their good intentions, often create conditions which encourage the congestions of our prisons,” he added.
Adoke emphasised that the government is determined to ensure that fundamental human rights as guaranteed in the constitution were not cosmetic or academic, but practical.
This, according to him, necessitated passage of landmark reform legislation which includeed National Human Right (Amendment) Act 2011, Legal Aid Council (Amendment) Act 2011 as well as the Evidence Act 2011.
