President Muhammadu Buhari has called on the Judiciary to come up with initiative to ensure speedy dispensation of justice, thereby decongesting the nation’s prisons.
Receiving a delegation of Justices of the Supreme Court and Appeal Court led by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, in Abuja, the President emphasized the need for a new approach for prison decongestion.
“We need a new approach to prison decongestion. It is a national scandal that many prisons are overcrowded by 90%”.
“Urgent measures should be put in place to speedily decongest the prisons not only in the interest of justice but to save the cost of prisons maintenance and welfare of prisoners”.
Buhari mentioned that the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice had earlier requested that courts be established within prisons.
“My Attorney General is advocating establishment of courts inside the prisons to speed up decongestion. The logistical problem of transporting prisoners from prisons to courts means a difficult period for detainees and this is really bad”.
The President explained that his Government was not unmindful of the challenges of infrastructure and funding faced by the judiciary.
“This informed or decision to increase the judiciary’s budget in the 2017 fiscal year which we are committed to sustain”.
“I have asked the Attorney General to take up this matter with the Salaries and Wages Commission for advice to the President”.
The Chief Justice of Nigeria lauded the Federal Executive Council for its support and cooperation, reassuring the President that the judiciary would continue to do its best for the country.
“Today is a very unique day. It is a day we have come, the judiciary as a body to welcome you back home”.
