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Buhari asks Nigeria's chief judge to free prisoners because of coronavirus

Published 21/04/2020, 19:51

ABUJA, April 21 (Reuters) - Nigerian President Muhammadu
Buhari has asked the chief judge to free prison inmates who have
been awaiting trial for six years or more to ease overcrowding
as the novel coronavirus spreads, a spokesman said on Tuesday.
A statement quoted Buhari as saying 42% of Nigeria's 74,000
or so prisoners were awaiting trial. He urged Chief Judge
Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad to reduce that number "since physical
distancing and self-isolation in such conditions are practically
impossible".
Buhari said inmates with no confirmed criminal cases against
them, elderly prisoners and those who were terminally ill could
be discharged.
"Most of these custodial centres are presently housing
inmates beyond their capacities and the overcrowded facilities
pose a potent threat to the health of the inmates and the public
in general in view of the present circumstances, hence the need
for urgent steps to bring the situation under control," he said.
Two weeks ago, Buhari pardoned 2,600 prisoners who were
either 60 or older, terminally ill, or had less than six months
left to serve of sentences of three years or more.
Nigeria is Africa's most populous country, with some 200
million people. On Monday it said it had registered 665 cases of
the coronavirus and 22 deaths.
Its measures to stop the spread of the virus include closing
its borders and locking down the capital Abuja, the commercial
hub, Lagos, and the adjacent state, Ogun.

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