Rep. Chinedu Ogah Leads Call for Urgent Reforms as Awaiting Trial Inmates Hit 64% of Custodial Population

The Chairman, House Committee on Reformatory Institutions and Member representing Ikwo/Ezza South Federal Constituency, Rt. Hon. (Comrade) Chinedu Ogah, OON, has called for urgent reforms in Nigeria’s correctional system as awaiting trial inmates now account for 64 percent of the total custodial population nationwide.

Ogah made this known during the 2026 budget defence session after the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Correctional Service, Sylvester Nwakuche, disclosed that pre-trial detainees constitute 64 percent of inmates across custodial centres in the country.

Nwakuche explained that the high number of awaiting trial inmates continues to worsen congestion and overstretch correctional facilities nationwide. He made the disclosure while presenting the agency’s 2025 budget performance and 2026 budget estimates before the House Committee on Reformatory Institutions.

The Comptroller-General described the Nigeria Correctional Service as a vital pillar of the nation’s criminal justice system, tasked with providing both custodial and non-custodial services, ensuring the safe custody of legally detained persons, as well as facilitating their rehabilitation and reintegration into society.

In his remarks, Ogah expressed deep concern over the rising number of awaiting trial inmates and its implications for justice delivery, human rights, and the overall integrity of the criminal justice system. He called for urgent and comprehensive reforms, stressing the need for improved funding, modernised infrastructure, and accelerated presidential assent to the Correctional Service Trust Fund Bill.

He reaffirmed the Committee’s commitment to strengthening legislative oversight and advancing policies aimed at decongesting correctional centres, enhancing rehabilitation programmes, and repositioning the Nigeria Correctional Service for greater efficiency and effectiveness in line with global best practices.