Title:
AN INQUIRY INTO THE MYSTERY OF PROTRACTED STAY OF PRE-TRIAL DETAINEES IN NIGERIAN CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES

Authors:
Alaba Ibironke KEKERE and Akintunde Abidemi ADEBAYO ,Nigeria

Abstract:
In Nigeria, the problem of detention of people for a period longer than prescribed by law is very common. The protracted stay of pre-trial detainees in Nigerian correctional facilitiesis a thing of anxiety as record shows that higher percentage of inmates in the Nigerian correctional services falls into this category, In spite of the presumption of innocence of the accused by virtue of Section 36 (5) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Article 7 of the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights, yet they experienced dehumanizing and degrading treatment as if they were already tried, convicted and serving a jail term. Against this backdrop, this paper makes deep inquiries to the factors that cause delays in the trial of pre-trial detainees. It concludes by making useful recommendations that can facilitate trial thereby reduces the agony and prolonged stay of this category of inmates in the Nigeria correctional facilities