By Becky Usman
Dr. Olubunmi Tunji Ojo, Nigeria’s Minister of Interior, has revealed plans to release over 4,000 inmates to address prison congestion. The Ministry of Interior is set to cover the fines, amounting to over five hundred million naira, for these inmates, who have been detained due to their inability to pay these fines.
During an interview with ARISE NEWS, the minister discussed the challenges of prison congestion and measures taken to reduce the inmate population. The Ministry of Interior has established committees to analyze the causes of congestion in correctional facilities and develop strategies for reducing overcrowding.
Dr. Tunji Ojo stated, “Immediately I assumed office, the first thing I did was to set up a small committee to review the situation of our correctional centers. We discovered that over 4,000 inmates are still in custody because they cannot pay fines. The total fines owed amount to over five hundred million naira. We have engaged with the private sector to secure the necessary funds, and in the next four weeks, we aim to pay the fines of over 4,000 people, reducing the inmate population from approximately 79,000 to about 75,000.”
He emphasized that prison decongestion is a collaborative effort involving various government agencies, with the Ministry of Interior playing a lead role. The Ministry will work closely with the Office of the Attorney General to expedite cases in line with the Administration of Criminal Justice System.
Furthermore, Dr. Tunji Ojo highlighted the importance of implementing non-custodial aspects of the correctional service to decongest correctional centers. This includes activities that aim to provide alternatives to incarceration for certain offenders.
Regarding border security, the minister stressed its critical importance for national security. He announced the formation of an inter-agency committee tasked with mapping Nigeria’s borders and enhancing security measures. This committee will bring together agencies such as the Nigeria Immigration Service, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, and the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to develop a comprehensive approach to border security, combining human intelligence and technology.
Dr. Tunji Ojo underlined the need for a holistic strategy to secure Nigeria’s borders and prevent terrorists from exploiting vulnerabilities. The objective is to create a sustainable border control policy that will withstand the test of time, regardless of future changes in leadership.
This initiative aims to address prison congestion and enhance border security, crucial steps for the overall safety and welfare of the nation.