The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) in Bauchi State has revealed that around 600 out of 900 inmates in the state’s correctional centres are still awaiting trial for various offences.
The spokesperson of the NCoS in Bauchi, Assistant Superintendent Ahmed Tata, made this known during a one-day workshop on the use of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) and the Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL).
The event was organised by the Centre for Socio-Legal Studies (CSLS) and held in Bauchi on Tuesday.
Tata said the prisons are overcrowded mainly because of delays in the justice system.
He explained that many people are being held without trial and that proper use of the ACJL could help reduce the problem.
“The law already exists, but suspects without judgments are just kept in prison,” he said. “If the law is used well, it will reduce overcrowding. Right now, almost 600 out of 900 inmates are still awaiting trial.”
Also speaking, Chief Magistrate Sefiya Musa said the training came at the right time. She was surprised to learn that Bauchi ranks 28th in the country in justice delivery, while Nasarawa ranks third.
“We thought we were doing fine, but these facts are a wake-up call,” she said. “Although the MacArthur Foundation has supported efforts in this area, we need to do more and work together.”
Sharon Jibaniya, who represented the CSLS Executive Director, Professor Yemi Akinseye-George (SAN), said similar workshops were happening in other states to help improve how the law is used.
Professor Akinseye-George called on the Bauchi State Government to support the judiciary more. He warned that without urgent action, the state could fall further behind in delivering justice.
The workshop had participants from the judiciary, Ministry of Justice, security agencies, and other stakeholders.
