Slow Dispensation of Justice and the Rising Population of Awaiting Trial Inmates in Nigeria: A Call for Legislative Action

Abstract

Nigeria’s criminal justice system faces a critical challenge: the slow dispensation of justice, resulting in a growing number of awaiting-trial inmates. As of early 2026, approximately 64% of the prison population, about 51,955 out of 80,812 inmates, consists of persons awaiting trial, many of whom remain incarcerated for months or years without conviction. This situation undermines the constitutional right to a fair hearing within a reasonable time, criminalizes poverty, contributes to overcrowded custodial centers, and places a significant financial burden on government resources. The Administration of Criminal Justice Act was enacted in 2015 to promote speedy trials, reduce unnecessary adjournments, regulate remand orders, and introduce non-custodial measures; however, its impact has been limited by implementation gaps, administrative delays, and weak coordination across justice-sector institutions. To address the crisis, the brief recommends that the National Assembly, through its oversight function, may: i. Invite the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice to provide periodic briefings on the implementation of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, particularly on measures taken to reduce the number of awaiting trial inmates and improve the speed of criminal justice administration across the country. ii. ii. Advise and direct the adoption of a nationwide digital case management system to track criminal cases, monitor remand durations, and schedule court proceedings efficiently, thereby reducing administrative delays and ensuring timely trials. iii. iii. Advise judiciary on the deployment of a centralized electronic case management platform across courts and prosecutorial offices, accompanied by staff training and mandatory reporting to the Ministry of Justice, to enhance monitoring of case progress, ensure compliance with timelines, and reduce delays in criminal proceedings.