Criminal Prosecution And Awaiting Trial Incarceration In Nigeria Justice System: The Case Of Lagos State

Criminal prosecution is an essential and integral part of the criminal justice system. Criminal justice deliver prosecution service that should bring offenders to justice, help reduce both crime and the fear of crime thereby promoting public confidence. Awaiting trial is a general trend in all the prisons in Nigeria with over 65% of Nigeria prisoners still awaiting trial. It therefore becomes a phenomenon with the criminal justice system and it seemingly impinge inmates their right to fair prosecution and justice.

The study was carried out in three purposively selected prisons in Lagos State using qualitative method of data collection and the use of documented sources to proffer answers to the objectives.  

The findings revealed the extent of overcrowding in the prisons due to high number and rising awaiting trial inmates. Most awaiting trial inmates are the poor who have no financial capacity to engage the service of a lawyer but rather depend on pro-bono. Delay in the office of the public prosecution is another factor responsible for the increase. Prisoners have to pay certain amount to enjoy different facilities within the prisons.

It behooves of the criminal justice system to adopt laws and policies that gives practical effects to the right of individual.

KEY WORDS: Inmate, Public prosecution, criminal justice, awaiting trial