The Nigerian Correctional Service has spent over N3.3bn on feeding awaiting trial inmates over the course of two months.
As of early January 2025, the number of awaiting-trial inmates stood at 48,932, and by the end of February, this number had risen to 53,254, the NCoS revealed on its website.
This increase in the number of inmates, coupled with the feeding allowance per inmate, which was raised by President Bola Tinubu from N750 to N1,125 per day, has significantly impacted the NCoS budget.
Based on an average of 50,000 awaiting trial inmates being fed for 60 days at the new rate, the total expenditure on feeding amounts to over N3.3bn.
Recently, the acting Controller-General of the NCoS, Sylvester Nwakuche, pledged to tackle the backlog of awaiting trial cases.
Nwakuche also announced plans to engage with critical stakeholders, including state chief judges, attorneys-general, and the Inspector-General of Police to expedite the trial process.
The acting CG also emphasised the need for collaboration with state executives and judicial authorities to encourage the use of non-custodial measures, such as parole and community service, to reduce the influx of inmates.