The new Comptroller of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Ekiti State Command, CC Ajeleti Adebukola Alaba, has called for closer collaboration with the judiciary to improve justice delivery and ease severe overcrowding at the state’s correctional facility.
CC Ajeleti made the call on Thursday during a courtesy visit to the Chief Judge of Ekiti State, Hon. Justice Lekan Ogunmoye, in Ado-Ekiti.
Describing the judiciary as a critical stakeholder in effective justice delivery, the Comptroller said the visit was aimed at strengthening the existing relationship between the two institutions. She commended Justice Ogunmoye for his efforts in decongesting the facility and for his commitment to the rule of law.
She requested judicial support in three areas: inmate production, speedy dispensation of cases, and the implementation of non-custodial sentences.
Highlighting the scale of overcrowding, CC Ajeleti said the facility, built to accommodate 324 inmates, currently houses 922 inmates, with 573 awaiting trial. She appealed for accelerated hearings for awaiting trial inmates and urged courts to consider non-custodial sentences for offenders with lesser offences.
The Comptroller also asked the Chief Judge to liaise with relevant authorities to facilitate the establishment of additional correctional centres in Ekiti State, noting that such facilities are already operational in other states.
Responding, Justice Ogunmoye welcomed the new Comptroller and assured her of the judiciary’s continued cooperation. He said the Ekiti judiciary had been conducting regular visits to the facility to aid decongestion and promised to conduct another visit soon.
On non-custodial sentences, the Chief Judge said Ekiti magistrates had been diligent in their application. He added that arrangements were at an advanced stage to inaugurate the Administration of Criminal Justice Committee, where such issues would be addressed.
Justice Ogunmoye also pledged to engage relevant authorities and stakeholders on the establishment of more correctional facilities.
Present at the meeting were Hon. Justice Adeniyi Familoni, Mr. Lanre Owoleso, Mr. Daramola Oluwatomiwa, ACC Olutope Amele, ACC Agbana, and CNC Owoeye.
