…Faults police corruption, systemic failure in justice delivery
The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) has raised an alarm over the deplorable state of Nigeria’s criminal justice system, alleging that 75 per cent of inmates in the country’s correctional facilities are innocent of the crimes for which they are detained.
National Chairman of the RCCG Prison and Hospital Ministry, Pastor Ariyo Popoola, made the startling revelation at the 2025 Annual Conference of the ministry held at the church’s Redemption Camp, Ogun State, over the weekend.
Pastor Popoola attributed the disturbing figure to the rot within the country’s law enforcement agencies, particularly the Nigeria Police, which he accused of arresting citizens indiscriminately without proper investigation, and often subjecting them to prolonged pre-trial detention.
“When we say 75 per cent of people in prison are innocent, we base it on actual cases. Many are awaiting advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for years, only to be told eventually there was no case to answer. Some are falsely charged with armed robbery, and after five years, it is discovered they should never have been there in the first place. Their lives have been wasted,” he said.
Decrying the practice of arrest-before-investigation, Popoola criticised the current system as porous and lacking the basic elements of fairness and accountability.
“In civilised societies like the United States or the United Kingdom, investigation precedes arrest. In Nigeria, arrest comes first—if investigation ever comes at all. Meanwhile, innocent lives are destroyed in the process,” he added.
The cleric further took a swipe at endemic corruption within the police, noting that complainants are routinely extorted for basic services, ranging from writing statements to accessing detained suspects.
“You can’t even report a crime without buying biro, exercise books or disinfectants. After arrest, suspects are often held for days without seeing the Investigating Police Officer (IPO), who may be chasing another case. It’s a system of chaos and impunity,” he lamented.
Popoola also highlighted the indiscriminate arraignment of suspects in magistrate courts without proper documentation or case files, a development he said results in innocent citizens spending years in custody without trial.
In his remarks, Pastor Akin John, who represented the RCCG’s National Overseer, Pastor Sunday Akande, called for an urgent upgrade of the country’s correctional centres and hospitals, urging government at all levels to prioritise humane treatment and adequate healthcare for inmates.
Reacting to the claims, the spokesperson for correctional centres in Ogun State, Superintendent Odukoya Owolola, clarified that correctional officers do not determine the guilt or innocence of inmates.
“Our responsibility is strictly custodial. We only admit inmates based on valid court warrants. We do not investigate or prosecute,” he said.
However, Owolola acknowledged the introduction of the new Correctional Service Act, which allows for restorative justice in certain cases, adding that this provides an avenue for non-custodial settlements such as mediation.
The RCCG’s claim has reignited national conversations on the urgent need to reform Nigeria’s criminal justice system, with fresh calls for prompt trial of suspects, elimination of police corruption, and transparency in law enforcement processes.
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