The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Ekiti State Command, has called for stronger collaboration with the judiciary to ensure speedy trials and wider application of non-custodial sentences to address overcrowding at the Ado-Ekiti custodial centre.
The State Comptroller of Corrections, CC Ajeleti Alaba, made the appeal during a courtesy visit to the Chief Judge of Ekiti State, Justice Lekan Ogunmoye, on Wednesday in Ado-Ekiti.
Alaba said the custodial facility, originally built to accommodate 324 inmates, currently houses 922 inmates, out of which 573 are awaiting trial.
She explained that the visit was aimed at strengthening the existing relationship between the judiciary and the correctional service for effective justice delivery.
The comptroller described the judiciary as a critical stakeholder in the criminal justice system and appealed for accelerated hearing of cases involving awaiting-trial inmates.
She also urged courts to consider non-custodial sentencing for offenders involved in minor offences as part of measures to decongest the facility.
Alaba further appealed to the Chief Judge to liaise with relevant authorities on the establishment of additional correctional centres in the state, noting that similar facilities already exist in some other states.
Responding, Ogunmoye welcomed the new comptroller and assured her of the judiciary’s continued cooperation with the correctional service.
He noted that both the judiciary and the correctional service remained critical institutions in the administration of criminal justice.
The chief judge said the judiciary had been undertaking regular visits to the custodial centre as part of efforts to decongest the facility and promised that another visit would be conducted soon.
On the application of non-custodial sentences, Ogunmoye said magistrates in the state had been diligent in implementing such measures.
He also pledged to engage relevant stakeholders on the establishment of more correctional facilities in the state.
According to him, arrangements are at an advanced stage for the inauguration of the Administration of Criminal Justice Committee, where issues affecting justice administration would be addressed.
IAA
