Nigeria: Nigeria’s death row inmates rise to 3,688 amidst prison congestion crisis
By Zuleihat Owuiye, Mamos Nigeria
The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has revealed that 3,688 inmates are currently on death row across various prisons in the country, highlighting the worsening congestion in correctional facilities.
Acting Comptroller-General Sylvester Nwakuche disclosed this during his Senate screening, noting that the number has increased from 3,590 in September 2024. He attributed part of the problem to state governors’ reluctance to either approve executions or commute sentences to life imprisonment, which prevents the redistribution of inmates to less crowded rural facilities.
Nwakuche also pointed to the high number of awaiting-trial inmates, many of whom have been detained for years—sometimes longer than the sentences they would have served if convicted. He emphasized the need for stronger collaboration between the NCoS, the police, the judiciary, and other security agencies to address this issue and reduce unnecessary detentions.
In response, the Senate Committee on Interior, chaired by Adams Oshiomhole, assured that it would evaluate Nwakuche’s performance and work toward solutions for the country’s overcrowded prison system.
