ECOWAS Court Orders Nigeria to Decongest Prisons in 6 Months

The ECOWAS Court has mandated the Federal Government of Nigeria to implement measures to decongest its prisons within six months. This ruling addresses the issue of prolonged detention of inmates awaiting trial, which the court found to violate several provisions of the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights.

The court's decision, made public on May 15, 2026, highlighted that a significant portion of Nigeria's prison population, approximately 52,000 out of 79,000 inmates, consists of those awaiting trial for bailable offenses. The court determined that the conditions in overcrowded prisons breach the rights to liberty, dignity, and fair trial.

Nigeria is required to submit a compliance report detailing steps taken to reduce inmate populations and improve the criminal justice system. The court's ruling emphasizes the need for a comprehensive prison decongestion policy, including the adoption of non-custodial measures for minor offenses.