Powers of a Judge to order transfer of a prisoner for appeal purposes | By Aloy Ejimakor

Under Nigerian law, the sentencing judge retains the first judicial authority to consider and possibly order the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) to transfer a convicted prisoner to another correctional facility closer to the appellate court with jurisdiction, for the purpose of facilitating the preparation and prosecution of an appeal. This power is exercised as an ancillary or incidental jurisdiction (or even inherent jurisdiction), geared to safeguarding the convict’s constitutional right to fair hearing and effective prosecution of his appeal, particularly where the current detention location – by the dint of its far or remote location – imposes undue hardship that could render the appeal illusory.

While primary administrative control over prisoner transfers vests in the Comptroller General of the NCoS, courts can intervene via specific orders, especially in response to applications demonstrating prejudice to justice, substantiated with evidence of necessity (e.g., proximity for personal initiation of appeal and access to records or consultations). If granted, the order would bind the NCoS under Section 36 of the Nigerian Correctional Service Act (NCSA) 2019 which enacted judicial oversight over custodial matters.

Further judicial authority lies under Section 12 of NCSA whereby transfers ordered by courts are enforceable as part of the warrant of commitment and Section 17 of same NCSA which mandates the NCoS to produce inmates for court proceedings, including appeals. This implies a legal duty to facilitate access, which courts can enforce via transfer orders if mere production (e.g., for hearings) is insufficient for pre-appeal preparations like record compilation, as well as consultations and interactions with the pertinent court registries.

Of particular note is Section 4 of NCSA which emphasizes reformation, rehabilitation and reintegration, aligning with transfers that enable access to justice without compromising custodial integrity. Further inmate remedies can be triggered under Section 36 of NCSA which allows inmates to seek judicial remedies against unlawful detention practices, including remote placements that manifestly hinder reasonable access to appeals.

Furthermore, Section 159 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015 grants courts broad powers to order the production or relocation of persons in custody for any proceedings, including interlocutory applications related to appeals. This extends to transfers to ensure effective appellate participation by the prisoner.

Similarly, Section 468 of ACJA permits courts to issue warrants with “such directions as the court thinks fit” for enforcement, including ancillary orders like prison transfers to prevent miscarriage of justice. And Sections 291–306 of ACJA reinforce the right to appeal without undue hindrance, thus impliedly empowering trial courts to issue facilitative orders, such as transfers.

More significantly, Section 36 of the Constitution guarantees the right to a fair hearing, including appeals, which must be effective and not illusory. Remote detention violating this (e.g., by impeding an unrepresented prisoner’s personal filing or consultations) justifies sound judicial intervention. More so, Section 6(6)(c) of the Constitution vests the Federal High Court with all powers necessary for justice administration, including supervisory jurisdiction over executive actions like NCoS transfers.

In practice, Nigerian courts have consistently upheld judicial authority to order transfers post-sentencing where necessary for ensuring justice, drawing on inherent powers and constitutional imperatives.

Key precedents include A.G. Federation v. Abacha (2002) 5 NWLR (Pt. 761) 638 (Court of Appeal) where it was held that superior courts possess inherent jurisdiction to issue directions on prisoner custody, including transfers, to protect rights and prevent abuse. In this very case, the court ordered a transfer for security reasons, emphasizing that while NCoS handles routine prison administration, judicial orders can ensue and supersede in the interest of justice. This applies analogously to ensuring that a prisoner is detained at a location that will not hamper his access to appeal.

Additionally, in Alade v. Federal Republic of Nigeria (ECOWAS Community Court of Justice, 2012), the court held that prolonged or prejudicial detention (e.g., in remote facilities) violates fair hearing rights under the African Charter (ratified and domesticated via Section 12, 1999 Constitution). The court ordered release but noted transfer as a lesser remedy, thus affirming trial courts’ power to rectify custody issues, post-conviction.

Similarly, in Fawehinmi v. I.G.P. (2000) 7 NWLR (Pt. 665) 481 (Supreme Court), the court affirmed the judiciary’s supervisory role over prisons via habeas corpus or mandamus, extendable to transfer orders. The Supreme Court quashed arbitrary custody and ordered relocation, stressing that appeals must not be frustrated by administrative decisions. The same rationale also played out in Dino Melaye v. FRN (2018), in which the court ordered transfer to a medical facility, invoking ACJA Section 159 and inherent powers of the trial court.

All these cases illustrate post-sentencing judicial authority that can compel transfer, geared to ensuring natural justice and fair play for the prisoner, such as the overriding need for proximity to the court that has jurisdiction over the prisoner’s appeal. This was remarkably reinforced in Abacha v. Fawehinmi (2000) 6 NWLR (Pt. 660) 228 (Supreme Court) where the apex court reiterated that constitutional rights (e.g., access to appeal) shall prevail over statutory custody rules.

On the strengthen of the foregoing, it is unarguable that judicial authority can ensue as a check on the autonomy of the Nigerian Correctional Service, the purpose being to ensure adherence to the hallowed constitutional safeguards that undergird the administration of criminal justice in Nigeria.