7,000 inmates pardoned amid move to decongest prisons

No fewer than 7,228 inmates were pardoned by federal and state governments, chief justices and nongovernmental organisations between January 2022 and December 2024, as part of efforts to decongest the nation’s overcrowded correctional centres.

The figures were obtained from media reports and compiled by our correspondent on Saturday.

According to recent data from the Nigerian Correctional Service, the total inmate population stands at 79,125 exceeding the system’s capacity of slightly more than 50,000.

Of this number, 52,903 inmates are awaiting trial. Most of these individuals face serious charges such as armed robbery, murder, and culpable homicide, which require lengthy investigations and prosecutions.

Peoplesmind