Across Nigeria’s correctional facilities, thousands of people remain behind bars for months sometimes years without their cases concluded in court.

Many of them are still legally innocent, yet they continue to live in overcrowded cells while awaiting trial.

Recent data from the Nigeria Correctional Service shows that more than half of inmates in the country fall into this category, raising serious questions about the pace and fairness of Nigeria’s criminal justice system.

Today on Nigeria Daily, we examine the scale of awaiting-trial detention in Nigeria, what causes the delays, and what it means for justice and human rights.