Taraba Judiciary to adopt non -custodial conviction of some offenders
Punishment
By Martins Abochol
Jalingo, Dec. 16, 2025 (NAN) Justice Joel Agya, Chief Judge of Taraba has said that the courts would adopt non -custodial sentences on some criminal offenders in the state.
Agya made the declaration on Tuesday while playing host to Mr John Francis, Controller of Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS), Taraba Command, who paid him a courtesy visit in Jalingo.
He said that the measure was to enhance prison decongestion, adding that such convicts would be sentenced to provide some community services within their jurisdictions.
He expressed concern that some inmates, who had no business staying long in the custodian centres were held there.
Agya said that the Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL) had already made provision for alternative sentencing of offenders in which the non- custodial conviction was part of.
The chief judge recalled that he had conducted jail delivery in 2024 and was preparing to hold another one soonest.
He also noted that the cumbesome process in which the police investigation and the prosecution of cases by the Ministry of Justice also contributed to lack of speedy dispensation of justice.
According to him, the power of prosecution does not lie in the hands of courts as the police, after carrying out investigations, passed the files to the ministry of justice, which finally determine prosecution of cases.
He gave assurances that he would collaborate with the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice to discuss the way forward, especially on the prison decongestion initiative.
Agya appreciated the controller for his collaboration, extending his warm
congratulations on his well-deserved appointment and posting to
Taraba.
“Your visit is both timely and significant. The Nigerian correctional service remains a critical stakeholder in theadministration of justice.
“It is particularly in the areas of custodial
management, production of defendants before the courts and the broader objectives of criminal Justice reform, including decongestion
of custodial Centers and the rehabilitation and reintegration of offenders into society.
” I am pleased to note that the Judiciary of Taraba enjoys a cordial working relationship with the Nigerian correctional service.
“I wish to assure you that the judiciary under my watch is committed to sustaining and strengthening this collaboration in the
overall interest of justice, Public safety, and the rule of law,” he said.
In his remarks, Francis said that during his visit to some facilities upon his assumption of duty in the state, he found 422 inmates in the 13 custodian centres.
He explained that while 22 inmates were on death sentence row, 111 were convicted and the remaining 311 were on awaiting trials.
He said that the number posed a serious risk to the administration of custodial administration, adding that the numbers of awaiting trial were alarming.
The controller appealed to the chief judge to conduct jail delivery on the facilities and also to ensure speedy trial of the awaiting trial inmates.
He further called for the establishment of Prison Decongestion Committee to enhance decongestion of inmates.
Francis expressed his determination to deploy custodian officers to various courts, who would monitor compliance from non- custodial convicts.
He requested the state judiciary to assist him to succeed in his tenure as the 19th Controller of the command. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
MK/YGA
Edited by Gabriel Yough