Nigeria's Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji Ojo, has announced plans to pay the fines of over 4,000 inmates, totaling more than five hundred million naira, to secure their release and alleviate prison congestion. The minister's actions come as part of a broader effort to address the issue of overcrowding in the country's correctional facilities. He has set up committees to investigate the root causes of the congestion and explore solutions to reduce the inmate population.
One of the key findings from the initial committee's work was that over 4,000 inmates remained in custody because they couldn't pay fines. The total amount owed in fines exceeded five hundred million naira. The ministry of Interior has engaged with the private sector to secure the necessary funds to settle these fines, with a commitment to resolve this issue within the next four weeks.
Minister Tunji-Ojo also highlighted the need for a holistic approach to decongesting correctional facilities. He noted that the responsibility goes beyond the Ministry of Interior and involves multiple agencies, including the office of the Attorney General, to expedite cases based on the Administration of Criminal Justice System (ACJS).
Furthermore, the minister emphasized the importance of securing Nigeria's borders and has initiated the establishment of an inter-agency committee to address this critical security concern. The committee will explore a combination of human intelligence and technology to ensure border security, with the involvement of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) and other relevant agencies.
The minister's approach seeks to create a comprehensive and sustainable framework for border control to enhance the security of the nation.
One of the key findings from the initial committee's work was that over 4,000 inmates remained in custody because they couldn't pay fines. The total amount owed in fines exceeded five hundred million naira. The ministry of Interior has engaged with the private sector to secure the necessary funds to settle these fines, with a commitment to resolve this issue within the next four weeks.
Minister Tunji-Ojo also highlighted the need for a holistic approach to decongesting correctional facilities. He noted that the responsibility goes beyond the Ministry of Interior and involves multiple agencies, including the office of the Attorney General, to expedite cases based on the Administration of Criminal Justice System (ACJS).
Furthermore, the minister emphasized the importance of securing Nigeria's borders and has initiated the establishment of an inter-agency committee to address this critical security concern. The committee will explore a combination of human intelligence and technology to ensure border security, with the involvement of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) and other relevant agencies.
The minister's approach seeks to create a comprehensive and sustainable framework for border control to enhance the security of the nation.
