N200 per day feeding policy for Nigerian prisoners, ‘insensitive’ – CODWA Boss

The Executive Director, Community Outreach for Development and Welfare Advocacy, Mr. Taiwo Otitolaye, has called for the review of the policy of N200 per day contract feeding for inmates in Nigerian prisons. He stated that the status quo was highly degrading and insufficient in view of the current realities and cost of living in the country.

 He spoke with journalists in Ilorin on Wednesday during a training on legislative advocacy and project management by the Human Rights Agenda Network, Kwara State chapter, according to report from The Punch Otitolaye also decried the delay in justice delivery in the country. He noted that many inmates stay more months or years on awaiting trial than they would have spent if they had been convicted. 

He urged all the relevant law enforcemement agencies and the judiciary to ensure speedy trial of cases. He called for an upward review of the nation’s criminal justice system; reformation and upgrading in the infrastructure and trainings in the remand and social services homes in the country. Otitolaye said, “The policy establishing contracting food for prisoners at N200 per day is obsolete and should be strictly reviewed to reflect today’s realities.  It is because of such policy that prisoners and inmates emanciate in prisons. “It is an insensitive policy. It shows the insensitivity of the leadership of the country. So we condemn it in its entirety. 

We ask that the policy be reviewed upward. “The administration of Criminal Justice Act which the colonial masters left for Nigeria is not only obsolete but obnoxious. “We encourage all states to speedily pass the administration of criminal justice bill that befits the realities of today, and assist in the administration of criminal justice process in Nigeria.”