The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, says the federal government plans to reduce the number of inmates in Nigeria’s prisons by 40 per cent.
Tunji-Ojo disclosed this at the weekend while hosting the European Union (EU) Ambassador to Nigeria, Samuela Isopi, in Abuja.
He noted that over 4,000 inmates are in prison due to their inability to pay various fees.
Tunji-Ojo stressed that the government would pursue the prison through decongestion of non-custodial alternatives as provided by the Correctional Service Act.
“We have over 4,000 inmates in the facilities for their inability to pay various fines. We believe we can reduce the number of inmates in our correctional facilities by about 40 per cent if we explore non-custodial alternatives, as provided for in the Correctional Service Act,” the minister added.
On her part, Isopi pledged the EU’s support via technical management of illegal migration, human trafficking and smuggling.
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