OVER 250 INMATES SLEEP ON FLOOR AT JALINGO PRISON

OVER 250 INMATES SLEEP ON FLOOR AT JALINGO PRISON

• Facility overstretched from 250 capacity to over 500 inmates — Olayinka
• About 90% awaiting trial as some spend up to eight years without conclusion of cases
• Delayed DPP advice, jurisdiction issues worsening justice crisis
• NBA Chairman Saredau vows action, announces justice-sector stakeholders’ meeting
• Seeks Taraba News, SUM TV partnership to give Bar activities greater visibility

A disturbing picture of congestion and prolonged detention has emerged at the Jalingo Custodial Centre, where more than 250 inmates are said to be sleeping on mats on the floor as the facility currently accommodates more than twice its designed capacity.

Chief Gabriel Motunrayo Olayinka, FCA, Chief Executive Officer of Taraba News and SUM TV, raised the alarm when the newly inaugurated Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Jalingo Branch, Dr. Daniel Philemon Saredau, led members of his executive on a courtesy visit to the two media organisations.

Olayinka, who said he was speaking from first-hand knowledge of conditions at the facility, disclosed that the Jalingo Custodial Centre, designed to accommodate about 250 inmates, currently houses more than 500.

According to him, the congestion has become so severe that more than 250 inmates have no proper sleeping spaces and are compelled to sleep on mats spread on the floor.

He expressed concern that such overcrowding exposes inmates to serious health and sanitation challenges and called on the NBA and other stakeholders in the criminal justice system to urgently intervene.

Of even greater concern, Olayinka said, is the large number of awaiting-trial inmates at the facility. He said about 90 per cent of the inmates are awaiting trial, with fewer than 100 serving sentences following conviction.

He said some inmates have remained in custody awaiting the conclusion of their cases for five, six, seven and, in some instances, up to eight years.

Olayinka described the situation as a major challenge confronting the administration of criminal justice in Taraba State, arguing that urgent reforms are needed to prevent people who have not been convicted of offences from spending years behind bars.

He particularly raised concerns over cases in which accused persons are remanded by Magistrate Courts for offences over which the courts lack substantive jurisdiction to conduct trials.

According to him, such accused persons could remain in custody for prolonged periods while awaiting further legal processes.

He also identified delays in obtaining legal advice from the Department of Public Prosecutions, DPP, as another factor contributing to prolonged detention and congestion at the custodial centre.

Olayinka therefore challenged the new NBA leadership to make prison decongestion, speedy dispensation of justice and the plight of awaiting-trial inmates major areas of intervention during its two-year tenure.

Responding, the NBA Jalingo Branch Chairman, Dr. Saredau, acknowledged the concerns and assured that his administration would work with relevant stakeholders towards improving the administration of justice in Taraba State.

He disclosed that since assuming office about two months ago, the new NBA leadership had commenced engagements with major institutions and authorities within the state’s justice and security sectors.

According to him, the branch has engaged the Chief Judge of Taraba State, the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General of the State, as well as security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.

Saredau said the engagements were part of efforts by the new executive to strengthen institutional cooperation and improve justice delivery in the state.

He further disclosed that the branch is working towards convening a roundtable meeting bringing together relevant stakeholders in Taraba’s justice system to discuss challenges affecting the sector and identify practical solutions.

The NBA Chairman promised that the media would be invited to the proposed stakeholders’ meeting as part of efforts to promote transparency and public awareness of reforms in the justice sector.

Saredau also disclosed that several laws in Taraba State are currently undergoing review and reform, noting that some of the state’s laws have not been substantially reviewed for more than three decades.

NBA SEEKS PARTNERSHIP WITH TARABA NEWS, SUM TV

Earlier, Saredau said the courtesy visit was part of the new NBA leadership’s engagement with critical institutions in the state.

He highlighted the important role of the media in providing information to the public and promoting accountability, public enlightenment and institutional development.

The Chairman sought a partnership between the NBA Jalingo Branch and Taraba News/SUM TV, describing the organisations as leading media platforms capable of giving the activities of the Bar wider visibility.

He said the partnership would help the NBA keep members of the public informed about its programmes, interventions and activities.

Saredau noted that his executive has a two-year tenure and intends to use the period to raise the standard of the Bar and strengthen the contribution of lawyers to justice delivery and development in Taraba State.

He highlighted the administration’s 12-point agenda, which includes digitalisation of the Bar, lawyers’ welfare and remuneration, continuing legal education, mentorship and development of young lawyers, human-rights advocacy, law reform, transparency and accountability, improved Bar-Bench relations and stronger institutional partnerships.

The NBA Chairman was accompanied on the visit by members of his executive, including the Vice Chairman, Publicity Secretary, Assistant Secretary and other officials of the branch.

OLAYINKA PLEDGES MEDIA SUPPORT

In his response, Olayinka commended Saredau and his executive for what he described as a visible and energetic start to their administration.

He observed that although the new executive had been in office for only about two months, its activities and engagements were already being noticed across the state.

He, however, urged the leadership not to lose momentum, noting that some administrations begin with enthusiasm but gradually slow down before completing their tenure.

Olayinka assured the NBA leadership of the support of Taraba News and SUM TV in providing adequate visibility for activities that promote justice, human rights and development.

He said Taraba News has extensive coverage across Taraba State, while SUM TV provides a platform capable of taking information about the activities of the NBA beyond Taraba and Nigeria to audiences in other parts of the world.

The media executive urged the NBA to use its position as a critical stakeholder in the administration of justice to champion reforms that would address prolonged awaiting trial, prison congestion and delays within the criminal justice system.

He stressed that reducing the population of awaiting-trial inmates would not only improve conditions at the Jalingo Custodial Centre but also strengthen public confidence in the justice system.

Saredau assured the management of Taraba News and SUM TV that the NBA Jalingo Branch would sustain its engagement with relevant authorities and stakeholders towards ensuring speedy dispensation of justice and strengthening the justice system in Taraba State.

ABOUT THE NBA CHAIRMAN

Dr. Daniel Philemon Saredau, LL.B, BL, LL.M, PhD, is a legal practitioner, academic and researcher. He is a Senior Lecturer and Head of the Department of Public Law at Taraba State University, Jalingo.

A graduate of Law from the University of Abuja, Saredau proceeded to the Nigerian Law School and later obtained his postgraduate qualifications, including a doctorate in Law, from the University of Ibadan.

He combines legal practice with academia and research, with interests spanning constitutional law, human rights, intellectual property, technology and law, and emerging issues in artificial intelligence.

Saredau was elected Chairman of the NBA Jalingo Branch in 2026 and is leading the branch on a two-year tenure anchored on a 12-point agenda covering lawyers’ welfare, continuing legal education, young lawyers’ development, human-rights advocacy, law reform, digitalisation, stronger Bar-Bench relations and improved justice delivery.