By: Janet Samuel

In a bid to decongest inmates across Nigeria prisons, the Director General of Legal Aid Council, Aliyu Abubakar has given approval for the Decongestion team to visit Custodial Centres.

The approval followed a visit on the Nassarawa custodial centre by the team of Decongestion Department led by Director in charge, Mr. Mozea Keneth.

Speaking at the Centre, the Assistant Controller of Correction, Aminu Abubakar who was represented by Mr Habu Dogara, assembled 14 awaiting trials inmates for interview and representation in various courts within Nasarawa State.

He listed the cases of the inmates awaiting trials to include rape, conspiracy, criminal conspiracy, armed robbery, possession of fire arms, criminal breach of trust and cheating, theft and criminal intimidation, criminal conspiracy and homicide, among others.

Abubakar who appreciated the Council for their role in the lives of the indigent in the society, said Legal Aid Council, is a major stakeholder in terms of decongestion of custodial centers and the entire justice sector.

The inmates interviewed by the council were between the ages of 21-26 with the oldest being 36 years of age.

During the visit, the case of a 21-year-old man who raped a child of about 6 years, called for concern.