FG plans to spend N22.44bn on feeding inmates

The Federal Government of Nigeria has revealed that it will spend N22.4 billion feeding inmates in correctional centres nationwide.

Dr. Shuaib Belgore, the Permanent Secretary, of the Ministry of Interior, disclosed this at a two-day-High Conference on Decongesting and Corrections Management in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

He added that the fund is budgeted for in the 2023 Appropriation Act.

Belgore also explained that there has been a steady rise in the population of the custodial centres with at least 80% of the inmates awaiting trial.

According to him, there are 244 custodial centres nationwide, with a 75,507-inmate population, thereby leading to 82 of them being overcrowded.

He noted that the total number of male inmates is 73,821 and female 1,686 female inmates.

Out of the 75,507 inmates, 52,436 are awaiting trial while 23,071 are convicted individuals, with 3,322 as condemned inmates on death row.