The Chief Justice of the Federation, (CJN) Justice Muhammad Tanko has ordered all Judges in charge of criminal cases to speed up trials and decongest prisons all over the country.
According to a statement released by the CJN, he said, ” From available records, the inmates population at various custodial centre’s across the country presently stands at about 74,127 out of which 52,228 are Awaiting Trial Persons (ATPs). Most of these custodial centres are presently housing inmates beyond their capacities.
“The Chief Judges are enjoined to consider conditional or unconditional release of awaiting trial persons who have spent 6 years or more in custody. ATPs who have no confirmed criminal cases against them, aged inmates and terminally ill may be discharged…”
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