The Young Nigerian Rights Organization, a civil‑rights group, has urged Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to act immediately to decongest the state’s prisons. Lead activist Comrade Victor Ojei pointed to the Delta State Administration of Criminal Justice Law 2022, which provides a framework for reducing prison congestion by shifting the focus from punitive to reformative measures.
The law grants judges and magistrates discretion to impose non‑custodial measures in suitable cases, helping to lower the number of minor offenders in detention. Ojei emphasized the importance of alternative sentencing options such as community service, which can prevent unnecessary detention, promote rehabilitation, and keep minor offenders from mixing with hardened criminals.
He called on Governor Oborevwori to activate these non‑custodial sentencing mechanisms, especially for minor and first‑time offenders, and to expedite the use of the Prerogative of Mercy to grant amnesty or pardon where appropriate. By doing so, the governor would align with the law’s intent to promote efficiency, fairness, and rehabilitation within the criminal‑justice system.
The organization’s appeal highlights the urgent need for reform in Delta State’s prison system. With the 2022 law offering a clear reform framework, the group is pressing for its effective implementation to address prison congestion. The next steps will depend on the governor’s response and the judiciary’s willingness to employ the law’s provisions, outcomes that will significantly impact the state’s criminal‑justice system and the welfare of its citizens.
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