Prison Congestion: ‘Over 250 inmates sleep on floor at Jalingo custodial centre’

More than 250 inmates at the Jalingo Custodial Centre in Taraba State are sleeping on mats on the floor as the facility houses more than twice its designed capacity, Gabriel Olayinka, a former inmate, has said.

Mr Olayinka, who is the Chief Executive Officer of Taraba News and SUM TV, said he was speaking from personal experience, having previously spent time at the custodial centre.

He disclosed this when the newly elected Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Jalingo Branch, Daniel Saredau, led members of his executive on a courtesy visit to media organisations.

According to Mr Olayinka, the facility, designed to accommodate about 250 inmates, currently houses more than 500.

He said about 80 per cent of the inmates were awaiting trial, with some spending between five and eight years in custody without the conclusion of their cases.

Mr Olayinka described the situation as a major challenge to the administration of criminal justice in Taraba State and called for urgent reforms to address prison congestion and prolonged pre-trial detention.

He said the overcrowding had become so severe that more than 250 inmates had no proper sleeping spaces and were forced to sleep on mats spread on the floor.

Drawing from his experience as a former inmate, he said the situation could expose inmates to serious health and sanitation challenges.

He urged the NBA and other stakeholders in the criminal justice system to make the decongestion of custodial facilities and speedy dispensation of justice priorities.

Mr Olayinka identified delays in obtaining legal advice from the Department of Public Prosecutions (DPP) as one of the factors contributing to prolonged detention.

He also raised concerns over cases in which accused persons are remanded by magistrate courts for offences over which the courts lack jurisdiction to conduct trials.

Such cases, he said, could leave accused persons in custody for prolonged periods while they await further legal processes.

Mr Olayinka urged the new NBA leadership to use its position as a critical stakeholder in the justice system to push for reforms that would reduce the number of awaiting-trial inmates and address delays in criminal proceedings.

Responding, Mr Saredau acknowledged the concerns and said his administration would work with relevant institutions to improve the administration of justice in Taraba State.

He disclosed that the NBA Jalingo Branch was planning a stakeholders’ roundtable to bring together key actors in the justice sector to examine the challenges and identify practical solutions.

Mr Saredau said the branch had already engaged the Chief Judge of Taraba State, the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General, as well as security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.

He said the engagements were part of efforts by the new NBA leadership, which assumed office about two months ago, to strengthen cooperation among institutions involved in the administration of justice.

According to him, the proposed stakeholders’ meeting would also involve the media as part of efforts to promote transparency and public awareness of reforms in the justice sector.

The NBA chairman said his administration would use its two-year tenure to improve the standard of the legal profession and strengthen the contribution of lawyers to justice delivery and development in Taraba.

He listed digitalisation of the Bar, lawyers’ welfare and remuneration, continuing legal education, mentorship and development of young lawyers, human-rights advocacy, law reform, transparency and accountability, improved Bar-Bench relations and stronger institutional partnerships among the priorities of his 12-point agenda.

Mr Saredau also disclosed that several laws in Taraba State were undergoing review, noting that some of the state’s laws had not been substantially reviewed for more than three decades.

He further sought a partnership with Taraba News and SUM TV to give the activities of the NBA greater visibility.

He said the partnership would help keep the public informed about the programmes, interventions and activities of the Bar, while strengthening public enlightenment and accountability.

Mr Olayinka commended the new NBA leadership for what he described as an energetic start to its administration and pledged the support of Taraba News and SUM TV.

He urged the NBA executive to sustain the momentum throughout its tenure and use its influence to address challenges affecting justice delivery in the state.

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The media executive said reducing the number of awaiting-trial inmates would not only improve conditions at the Jalingo Custodial Centre but also strengthen public confidence in the justice system.

Taraba has continued to grapple with prolonged pre-trial detention.

In November 2025, 13 inmates who had spent between one and six years in detention without trial were released following legal intervention.

In March, the Taraba Chief Judge also reviewed 35 awaiting-trial cases at the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Wukari as part of efforts to decongest correctional facilities and address prolonged detention.