The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has conceded it is grappling with what it termed a “severe and unsustainable” situation in the handling of thousands of prisoners sentenced to death, amid spiralling congestion, stalled judicial processes, and limited resources.
Speaking before the Independent Investigative Panel on Alleged Corruption, Abuse of Power, Torture and Other Forms of Inhumane Treatment by the NCoS in Abuja on Tuesday, Assistant Controller General (ACG) Cyrus Lekatile painted a stark picture of life on death row in Nigeria.
According to him, there are currently 3,845 prisoners awaiting execution, including 81 women. The sheer number, he said, is placing immense strain on the country’s correctional network.
NCoS: It takes time to determine such appeals
“The high number of inmates on death row contributes significantly to the overcrowding making it difficult to provide adequate care and rehabilitation programs,” Lekatile stated, while standing in for the Deputy Controller General of Corrections Operations.
He explained that those condemned to death are often left in limbo for years, sometimes decades, as appeals drag on and requests for clemency remain unresolved.
“Inmates on death row often experience prolonged periods of uncertainty. It takes time to determine such appeals, ” he noted. “Most times, it takes time also for them to access the prerogative of mercy or clemency. “
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Although rehabilitation is officially part of the NCoS mandate, the ACG admitted that those on death row seldom benefit from such programmes.
In addition to the psychological burden on inmates, Lekatile said prolonged delays are fuelling discontent in some custodial centres.
“They insist that their own ration should be above the other inmates’ ration. Unfortunately, the government only recognises one person’s single ration principle, ” he cautioned while highlighting the security threat it poses to the custodial centre superintendent.
The hearing also underscored the virtual halt in Nigeria’s execution process. While capital punishment remains in the statute books, governors and in some cases the president are reluctant to authorise executions, creating what Lekatile described as a “de facto moratorium”.
He concluded by urging lawmakers and policymakers to revisit capital punishment legislation and boost funding to enable correctional facilities to cope with the growing pressures.
