From January 1, 2024, the Federal Government has stated that it will no longer feed state offenders in custodial facilities across the country.
It also said that state governments must spend for the feeding of their inmates in federal facilities until they can develop their facilities.
Speaking at the inauguration of the Nigerian Correctional Service Command Headquarters in Owerri on Friday, Minister of Interior Rauf Aregbesola stated that more than 90% of inmates in custodial facilities across the country are state offenders, emphasizing that state governments must take responsibility for their inmates.
These were contained in a statement issued by his Media Adviser, Sola Fasure, on Friday.
He also asked state governments to completely implement the recently enacted constitutional change to enhance the conditions of detainees in detention centers around the country.
By December 31, 2023, the federal government will cease feeding state convicts. Furthermore, the federal government will discontinue feeding state inmates housed in federal institutions by January 1, 2024. While we wait for them to build new facilities, state governments must begin budgeting for feeding their inmates in federal institutions.”
Aregbesola also emphasized the importance of conducting a comprehensive assessment of the country’s criminal justice system to address the increasing number of detainees awaiting trial and languishing in jail.
