The Nigerian Federal Government has set aside N22.4 billion in the 2023 Appropriation Act for feeding inmates in correctional centres across the country.
POLITICS NIGERIA reports that the disclosure was made by Dr Shuaib Belgore, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, at a two-day High Conference on Decongestion and Corrections Management in Abuja.
Belgore expressed concern over the increasing population of custodial centres, with 80% of inmates awaiting trial. He revealed that there are currently 244 custodial centres with a population of 75,507 inmates, leading to overcrowding in 82 centres. Of the total number of inmates, 73,821 are male, while 1,686 are female, Channels Television reported.
Furthermore, out of the 75,507 inmates, 52,436 are awaiting trial while 23,071 are convicted persons, with 3,322 on death row.