NEWS DIGEST- The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has stated that more than 4,000 inmates held in prisons across Nigeria could not pay a total of N500m ($1.2m) in fines. He disclosed this in an interview on Arise News, adding that he had set up a committee to review the situation and had been in talks with private organizations to raise the money.
He reassured Nigerians that within the next four weeks, fines for the inmates would be cleared, and the prisoners released. Tunji-Ojo has long campaigned for prison reform and a reduction in the number of awaiting trial inmates in the country.
Decongestion of the prisons is not the sole responsibility of the interior ministry, Tunji-Ojo said, revealing he was in talks with the Attorney-General of the Federation to combat the issue of awaiting trial inmates. He added that the ministry had activated non-prison centers to decongest correctional facilities.
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The Minister also vowed to tackle the delays Nigerians in the diaspora have long faced whilst obtaining passports. More passport desk offices would be created worldwide by February 2024 to ease the process of obtaining a passport, he pledged. He assured Nigerians in the diaspora that after the clearance of the backlog in the country, their passport applications would be prioritized.
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Tunji-Ojo’s commitment to reforming the prison system dates back to when he first assumed office. He has highlighted the need to decongest prisons and rehabilitate prisoners through measures such as engaging private organisations and creating non-prison centres.
The Minister’s efforts in this regard are aimed at reducing the number of awaiting trial inmates who account for a majority of the prison population in Nigeria. These inmates are often caught in a cycle of trial delays and lengthy pre-trial detention, leading to cases of prison overcrowding.
The Minister’s involvement of private organisations in clearing fines for inmates is a welcome development, as it speaks to the need for collective responsibility in addressing the flaws in Nigeria’s prison system. With the possibility of over 4,000 prisoners released through his efforts, Tunji-Ojo’s work could set a precedent for prison reform going forward.
Tunji-Ojo’s pledge to tackle passport delays for Nigerians in the diaspora is also an indication of his commitment to reform. For too long, Nigerians living abroad have had to endure lengthy delays in passport renewals, often with a high premium attached. The creation of more passport desk offices is aimed at addressing this issue, as applicants will be able to complete the application process in their respective countries of residence.
Overall, Tunji-Ojo’s efforts to reform the prison system and reduce the challenges faced by Nigerians in the diaspora are commendable. His pledge to clear the fines of over 4,000 inmates is particularly significant, as it aligns with the notions of due process and reducing congestion. It is hoped that more work will be done in this regard to ensure that the systems of justice and correction in Nigeria are equitable and efficient.
