Headlines
PRAWA calls for urgent action to reduce number of ATPs

The Prisoners’ Rehabilitation and Welfare Action (PRAWA) has called for urgent and collective action to reduce the number of Awaiting Trial Persons (ATPs) in the custody of the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS).
The call is contained in a statement issued by the Executive Director, PRAWA, Dr Uju Agomoh, on Wednesday in Abuja.
Agomoh said that it was also important to note that some of the ATPs have had their cases stalled for many years.
She said that PRAWA identified with the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola on his recent call for urgent decongestion of ‘Jails’ in Nigeria.
Agomoh said that PRAWA had followed prison reform efforts and trends in Nigeria for about three decades now.
She said that the major challenge of the administration of corrections in Nigeria included issues of slow grinding wheels of the criminal justice trials.
This, she said included the resultant huge population of ATPs causing congestion, especially in custodial centres in metropolitan cities in Nigeria.
Agomoh said that some experts have also connected a high number of awaiting trial population and the complications of congestion to the increased cases of jailbreaks and growing dangerous trends of insecurity in the country.
Read Also: Torture Prevention: PRAWA boss bags UN committee membership
In her words, “the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) portal daily records of inmate population speaks to the challenges at hand.
“A summary of inmate population by convicts and awaiting trial persons provided on the portal as of October 3rd, 2022 is as follows:
“Total inmate population -75,635; total male inmates -74,029; total female inmates- 1,606; total convicted inmates- 22,488; convicted male inmates -22,488; convicted female Inmates – 402;
“Total awaiting trial inmates are 52,745; awaiting trial male–51,541; awaiting trial female- 1,204; convicted inmates 30 per cent; awaiting trial inmates -70 per cent; male inmates -98 per cent; female inmates- 2 per cent.”
Agomoh said that it was important to note that the percentage of ATPs reflected here was the statistics for all the correctional centres in Nigeria.
She said that the percentage was higher for some custodial centres especially those in urban areas adding that some of these centres have up to 85 per cent of ATPs.
“This calls for urgent action. PRAWA believes that there is a need for urgent, sincere and intentional collective action towards addressing them.
“This is the time to put in place sustainable mechanisms to ensure effective and efficient implementation of the innovative provisions of the NCoS Act 2019.
“The NCoS should strengthen its strategies at partnering with relevant security and justice sector institutions and other stakeholders towards actualisation of the objectives of the NCoS Act, ” she said.
PRAWA calls for urgent action to reduce number of ATPs
Headlines
Tinubu arrives Katsina to receive Buhari’s body for burial

President Bola Tinubu, on Tuesday arrived in Katsina to receive the remains of the former President Muhammadu Buhari, who passed away in London on Sunday at the age of 82.
Headlines
“He Never Turned His Back on the Needy” — Tributes Pour In Ahead of Buhari’s Burial

Just hours before the burial of former President Muhammadu Buhari, heartfelt tributes have continued to pour in from beneficiaries of his many charitable deeds, with many describing him as a man who never turned his back on the needy.
Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday, Aminu Daura, a respected community elder, recalled how Buhari consistently provided foodstuffs during Ramadan for families, friends, widows, and orphans in his hometown.
“He never made noise about it, but many homes had food on their tables during fasting period because of him,” Daura said.
Abdullahi Sani, a physically-challenged man who received a tricycle from the Buhari Foundation in 2021, was overcome with emotion while speaking to NAN.
“I can move around and feed my family today because of Baba Buhari. I pray to Allah to reward him for giving hope to people like me,” he said, in tears.
Hajiya Fatima Yahaya, another resident, remembered Buhari’s acts of kindness during festive seasons.
“Even after he left office, his aides ensured that the usual support still reached us every year. He always remember his people,” she said, referring to his distribution of Sallah rams and food items to indigent families during Eid celebrations.
Other residents of Daura also shared memories of how the late former president quietly paid school fees and medical bills for struggling families, actions rarely publicized.
“Some of us benefited from his silent interventions. He was a true father and a great figure in the society,” said Ali Saidu.
On Monday night, Imams across various mosques in Daura held special Qur’anic recitations, praying for the forgiveness of Buhari’s sins and his eternal peace.
The Chief Imam of Daura Central Mosque, Sheikh Musa Kofar Barau, described Buhari as a humble leader whose legacy of service and compassion would remain alive in the hearts of the people.
Buhari is scheduled to be buried later on Tuesday in his hometown of Daura, Katsina State, in line with Islamic rites. The community is bracing to welcome thousands of mourners from across Nigeria and beyond.
Headlines
King Mohammed VI Mourns Buhari, Praises Legacy of Nigeria’s Former Leader

His Majesty King Mohammed VI of Morocco has extended heartfelt condolences to President Bola Tinubu, the family of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, and the entire Nigerian people following Buhari’s death.
In a message of sympathy, the Moroccan monarch described the passing of the former Nigerian leader as a “sad occurrence,” expressing deep sorrow over the loss.
King Mohammed VI hailed Buhari as “an illustrious leader who worked untiringly to serve his country’s best interests and lead his people toward further progress and prosperity.”
He added: “Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the bereaved. I share your grief and want you to know how much I appreciated the working sessions I had with the deceased.”
Reflecting on their bilateral engagements, the king noted that his collaboration with Buhari led to the launch of promising development projects, “ushering a new era grounded in friendship and close cooperation between our two sister nations.”
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