Nigeria, UK to swap prisoners

The federal government has said plans for the swapping of prisoners between Nigeria and the United Kingdom would begin soon

Senator Umar Tambuwal, Chairman, Senate Committee on Judiciary, Legal Matters and Human Rights, made the statement, on Monday, at the beginning of a prison audit exercise organised by the National Human Rights Commission at the Kuje Prison.

Tambuwa explained that the British government had promised to provide the funds for the execution of the programme.

He said that the commencement of the programme was dependent on the successful amendment to the Prison Act.

``The process to evolve a new prison law has gone beyond the second reading as we are now looking at it clause-by-clause,” he said. ``It is expected that in about two weeks, the process would have been completed and the amendment effected.

``The swapping will not happen if the law does not allow the swap; but above all, we are expected to renovate our prisons to meet the minimum world standard.

``The criminal justice reform is on course, but efforts must be stepped up to ensure quick dispensation of justice as what we have now is not ideal.”

On the role of judges, Tambuwal said that the life of many depended on the action or inaction of the judges, adding that ``they must be committed to their duties.’’

``Over the last two years, the Senate has approved a total of N160 billion to the Judiciary and we have also increased the number of judges,” he said. ``They are paid well and they live in government houses.

``It is, therefore, disheartening to hear numerous complaints of ineptitude and corruption from people against them.”

Rep. Beni Lar, Chairman, House Committee on Human Rights, said that the National Assembly would ensure a total reformation of prisons to meet the guidelines of the international community on Human Rights.

She said that the legislature was working to reverse current deplorable condition of prisons across the country.

``Two-thirds of the population of inmates in Kuje Prison are awaiting trial, which means they are still innocent of the alleged offences.

``They have the right to fair hearing and speedy trial of their cases and still deserve the right to quality environment for reformation.

``We are also worried that the inmates are still fed with N200 per day and that is unacceptable in view of the present economic realities,’’ she said.

According to her, the passage of the amendment to the Prison Act will help to tackle the challenges facing prisons in the country.

Prof. Bem Angwe, Executive Secretary of the commission, said that the prison audit was meant to expose the inadequacies associated with prison management.

Angwe explained that the condition of prisons in the country required urgent attention and that the commission was committed to defending and enforcing the rights of inmates.

He said the commission was collaborating with the police to commence the prosecution of people who gave false information.

``A good number of inmates today are in prison based on false allegations and we believe that fighting this practice would help decongest the prisons.