Lawyer and Human Rights activist, Femi Falana, has called on Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, to reconsider the planned payment of N500 million for the release of convicts in correctional facilities across Nigeria. This decision comes on the third anniversary of the 2020 #EndSARS protests against police brutality.

The minister had proposed the payment of fines imposed on approximately 4,000 convicts in order to decongest correctional centers. Falana commended the initiative but suggested that the N500 million earmarked for fine payments should instead be spent on the welfare of inmates while exploring alternative decongestion policies.

Falana pointed out that the Federal Government had previously released 7,813 inmates from correctional centers during the COVID-19 outbreak to curb the spread of the virus. He urged the minister to request the Chief Justice of Nigeria and Chief Judges of all states to visit correctional centers and order the release of inmates with manifestly unlawful detention or those who have been held for extended periods.

Falana also highlighted the plight of inmates at the Ikoyi Correctional Center, whose case files were destroyed during the #EndSARS protests when Magistrate Court and High Court buildings were burnt.

The initiative is seen as a commendable step towards decongestion, but Falana’s suggestion aims to ensure that the funds are utilized more effectively for the welfare of inmates. The recent rejection of suspects’ arraignment by some Lagos courts due to correctional facility congestion underscores the urgency of addressing this issue. The Mass Atrocities Tracker also revealed a high number of extrajudicial violence cases, emphasizing the need for swift action.