A sum of N22.44 billion has been spent on the feeding of 75,507 inmates in the correctional centres nationwide, the Federal Government has said.
An official of the government disclosed this in Abuja on Thursday.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Dr Shuaib Belgore, during a High-level conference on corrections and decongestion of custodial centres, said the inmates are spread in 244 custodial centres nationwide, Belgore said that 70 percent of the inmates were awaiting trial.
He attributed the high number of awaiting trial inmates to arbitrary arrests, delay in dispensing justice and inability to meet bail conditions.
The permanent secretary said that the situation had led to the congestion of 82 custodial centres across the country.
“The total number of male inmates are 73,821 and 1,686 are female inmates. Out of the 75,507 inmates, 52,436 are awaiting trial while 23,071 are convicted persons, with 3,322 as condemned inmates on death row.
“The Federal Government budgeted N22.44 billion in the 2023 appropriation to cater for the feeding of inmates. Failure to take action to decongest the custodial centres will come at a cost.
“The effects of overcrowding in the custodial centres have led to huge revenue drain for the Federal Government.