A statistic released by the Lagos Criminal Information System (LCIS) shows that Ibeju Lekki, Alimosho, Apapa, Ikorodu, and Ojo are the top five crime-prone areas in Lagos State.
The areas, according to the LCIS, are locations where inmates who have passed through the criminal justice system in the five Custodial Centres (Prisons) of the Nigerian Correctional Service in the state were arrested for various crimes between January and March, 2020.
The number of inmates so far captured on LCIS increased to 30,107 as at March 2020, as indicated by the quarterly report of the agency. The statistic was contained in LCIS report released by the Office of the Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice.
According to the report, there are five Custodial Centres (Prisons) in the state with built capacity for 3,872 inmates, while the actual total number of inmates at the centres as at the time of filing the report is 9,053, about 140% over the official capacity. 54 per cent of the suspects processed during the period do not have legal representation, and majority were for minor offences. This was an improvement over last quarter data of 82%.
In the agency system:
“The status of the inmates processed between January and March 2020 further shows that 86 percent are awaiting trial, six percent have been convicted, one percent are on remand, and seven percent have so far been released”.
Breakdown of the inmates per location of crime committed is as follows: ” Ibeju Lekki, 300; Alimosho, 245; Apapa, 229; Ikorodu, 201; Ojo, 178; Ikeja, 175; Oshodi, 171; Eti Osa, 126; Lagos Mainland, 117; Kosofe, 95; Mushin, 90; Lagos Mainland, 88; Surulere, 82; Somolu, 79; Agege, 77; Amuwo Odofin, 65; Badagry, 59; Ajeromi Ifelodun, 48; Epe, 16; and Ifako Ijaiye, 10″.
The report further indicated that the prevailing offences committed by inmates in correctional centers within the period under review included stealing, breach of peace, and cultism. The inmates by offence type are as follows: “Stealing, 42 percent; breach of peace, 16 percent; cultism/unlawful society, 9 percent; assault, 5 percent; obtaining by false pretense, 5 percent; armed robbery, 4 percent; murder, 3 percent; fraud, 3 percent; defilement, 2 percent; and tampering with an oil pipeline, 2 percent”.
The report also contained important information showing the status of domestic and sexual offenders and efforts of the Directorate of Public Prosecution at ensuring prompt issuance of legal advice.
In his reaction, the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo, SAN stated that the LSCIS was designed to improve the administration of justice and strengthen rule of law and promised that the state government and its ministry would continue to lead in the Justice sector reform in Nigeria.
