The Rivers State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Dagogo Iboroma, has raised concerns over the alarming number of inmates awaiting trial at the Port Harcourt Correctional Centre.
According to Iboroma, the facility is holding over 20,000 individuals who have not yet been convicted, highlighting a significant strain on the state’s justice system.
The Attorney-General pointed out that the situation has placed immense pressure on the correctional facility, which is operating well beyond its capacity.
He emphasized the urgent need for judicial reforms to address the backlog of cases, improve legal processes, and ensure that justice is served in a timely manner.
"The current state of affairs not only undermines the rights of the inmates but also impacts the efficiency of our judicial system," Iboroma remarked.
"We must prioritize speeding up trial processes and exploring alternative sentencing options to alleviate the congestion."
Legal experts have noted that the backlog is partly due to procedural delays, inadequate legal representation for the accused, and logistical challenges in transporting inmates to court.
These issues have left many awaiting trial for extended periods, sometimes surpassing the duration they would have served if convicted.
Human rights advocates are urging the state government to adopt measures such as increasing the number of judges, expanding alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, and implementing parole options for minor offenses to address the crisis.
The situation at the Port Harcourt Correctional Centre is a microcosm of broader issues within Nigeria's penal system, where over 70% of the prison population nationwide consists of inmates awaiting trial.
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