The Public Relations Officer of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Mr. Abubakar Umar, has disclosed that there are more than 3,298 inmates across the custodial centers in Nigeria who are on death row.
Umar who made this known on Wednesday in Abuja, explained that the NCoS Act 2019 which made the Prisons Correctional Centres, the term ‘condemned criminal’ was abrogated, noted that it is stigmatizing
He stated that many of the IDRs committed capital offenses like culpable homicide, armed robbery, and terrorism, among other crimes.
“There are often long periods of uncertainty for the convicted while their cases are being appealed at higher levels.
“Inmates awaiting execution live on what we call death row; some offenders have been executed more than 15 years after their convictions.
“They were awaiting the hangman’s noose in our custodial centers after being found guilty of capital offenses.
“We have quite a number of them; as of today, we have a total of 3,298 inmates on death row. They constitute about 4.5 percent of the total number of inmates in our various custodial centers nationwide,” Umar said.
He said some IDRs were in custody for many years since they were arrested up to when they were tried and sentenced.
“The good thing is that we engage all of them in activities that will reform and modify their behaviors.
“The goal is to make them better citizens of the nation.
“We also make them undergo personal development programs like anger management, civic education as well as entrepreneurship.
“Some of them, who do well and show some glimpse of hard work, industry, and discipline, are recommended for clemency to the relevant authorities,” he added.
He stated that many IDRs had been executed in the past before the emergence of human rights groups and other organizations.
“Currently, there is somewhat a kind of moratorium on the execution of offenders.
“Before the moratorium on execution of IDRs became widespread, executions of IDRs were being carried out as and at when due.
“But with the rising activities of human rights groups, many governments shy away from signing the death warrants of these offenders.
“Though it is still in practice, it is not as common as it used to be. The last execution of IDRs was carried out in 2016 in Edo.
“We encourage state governors, who shy away from signing the death warrants, to commute them into other sanctions.
“This will ensure that the toga of death is removed from them. It will also help us to properly manage them smoothly,” he said.
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