Lagos state government said it is capable of running prisons within the state effectively, if there is constitutional amendment.The Attorney-General and commissioner for Justice, Adeniji Kazeem, said this during his inspection tour of Lagos prisons on Monday.
Correspondent, Adedoja Salam-Adeniyi reports that the total population of inmates at the Nigerian Prison Service, Ikoyi is 2508 as against its 800 capacity.
Total number of awaiting trial is put at 2047 while convicted is 461, all male.Cameras are not allowed beyond this point. But in there, Inmates are more than a hundred in a room.
The inspectors moved to Apapa Medium security Prison with a population of 2979. Awaiting trial being 2634, and convicted 345.
Kazeem described the state of the these prisons as appalling and not fit for reformation, hence the need for the state government to come in.
The state of the prison clinic is also very worrisome. TVC News gathered that officers often go out of their way to buy drugs for sick inmates.
With this inspection, It is believed that the state prerogative of mercy will come faster for those who deserve it, while the living condition of those who are supposed to be here will be improved.
