The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Kano State Command, says 70 per cent of inmates are awaiting trial across the custodial centres in the state.

The Public Relations Officer of the Command, SC Musbahu Lawan, disclosed this while addressing newsmen on Monday in Kano.

He said that overcrowding was a challenge to the smooth operation of the NCoS in the state, as the number of awaiting trial inmates had tripled that of convicted inmates in the state.

"Statistics show that only 30 per cent of inmates are convicted in the correctional service, while inmates awaiting trial constitute 70 per cent of the total number of inmates in the state.

"Most of the inmates awaiting trial have stayed in custody with their cases yet to be determined by the courts.

"Our laws give us the power to transfer convicted inmates to any facility in the country, so if the inmates awaiting trial are eventually convicted there won't be congestion," Lawan said.