The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has reported a rise in the number of prisoners on death row, increasing from 3,590 in September 2024 to 3,688 in March 2025. This represents a 2.73 percent increase, or an additional 98 inmates, within a span of six months.
The acting controller-general of NCoS Sylvester Nwakuche, disclosed this information during a screening by the Senate Committee on Interior on Wednesday. He pointed out that state governors were part of the challenges contributing to the rising number of death row inmates, as they often refuse to execute prisoners or commute their death sentences to life imprisonment.
Nwakuche emphasized that commuting death sentences to life imprisonment would help ease congestion in urban correctional facilities, which are far more overcrowded than those in rural areas. He explained that with life sentences, inmates could be more easily distributed across rural facilities, which have more capacity to accommodate them.
“The issue of congestion is a major urban phenomenon. Our correctional facilities in urban centres are more congested than those in rural areas. If we commute them to life sentences, we will be able to distribute them equitably,” he said.
Nwakuche also stressed the importance of collaboration and synergy with various security agencies to address the problem of awaiting trial inmates across the country. He highlighted that correctional facilities depend on the police, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Immigration Service, and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to process cases and release inmates who have already served long sentences.
He lamented that some inmates, who had already been sentenced, continue to stay in facilities for years, unnecessarily adding to the congestion. Nwakuche pointed out that some individuals had been in correctional facilities for up to six years without being processed, even though they were not required to stay longer. He called for action to discharge and acquit such individuals.
Additionally, Nwakuche highlighted his discussions with key figures, including the Inspector-General of Police, the Director-General of DSS, and the Attorney-General of the Federation, to foster collaboration. He emphasized that without working closely with these agencies, many inmates would remain in prison for extended periods unnecessarily.
The chairman of the Senate Committee on Interior Adams Oshiomhole, assured that the panel would submit a report based on Nwakuche’s performance.
