17 juveniles detained in 5 Lagos prisons between Jan., March 2019 – Report

A Quarterly Report by the Lagos State Ministry of Justice Criminal Information System (LCIS) has revealed that
9,044 inmates were detained in five prisons in the area between Jan. and March 2019.

The report identified the Ikoyi prison, Kirikiri Medium prison, Kirikiri Maximum prison, Female prison, and Badagry prison, as the five detention centres mentioned.

It said that the five prisons had the capacity to accommodate only 4,087 inmates.

The report revealed that out of the 9,044 inmates in detention across the five prisons, the 54 that were granted bail were unable to meet the bail conditions, while 34 prisoners were able to secure their bail having been able to pay fines ranging from N5, 000 to N10, 000.

According to the report, while the Ikoyi prison has 2,976 inmates instead of 800 based on its actual capacity, the Kirikiri medium prison is harbouring 3,925 inmates instead of 1,700, Kirikiri Maximum prison 1,645 instead of 1,056, and the Female prison 211 instead of 200.

It added that the one in Badagry with a capacity for 320 inmates, is harbouring 298 prisoners.

The quarterly report added that forty inmates had spent between one and nine years in the prison without being taken to court.

It also said that 56 per cent of the inmates did not have legal representation, while 17 were juveniles.

It noted that as at March 2019, no fewer than 17, 941 inmates had been enrolled in the state’s criminal information system data base.

The report further said that while 78 per cent of the inmates were awaiting trial, 15 per cent had been convicted, just as 2 per cent had been condemned, with 5 per cent remanded.

“Top five locations where inmates committed offences in Lagos include: Eti-Osa, Apapa, Alimisho, Ojo, and Ikorodu. Total Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) advice issued are 408″.

“Inmates with DPP advice in prison (information from inmates) 2 per cent, inmates not sure of status of their DPP advice (information from inmates) 98 per cent”.

“Stealing and breach of peace tops the list of most committed offences between Jan. and March, 2019 with 65 per cent”.

“80 per cent inmates are between ages 18 and 40 years. 98 per cent are males,” the report said. (NAN)