NCoS debunks claims on convicts evading serving term

The authorities of the Nigerian Correctional Service on Sunday debunked the allegation credited to a legal practitioner, that some officials of the Nigerian Correctional Service allow criminals to evade court verdicts by getting young men who will serve jail terms for criminals.

Spokesperson of NCoS, Mr Francis Enobore while reacting to the allegation in a statement in Abuja, said the Service observed with great concern, the wild and unsubstantiated allegation, noting that this was unpatriotic and most unfortunate, especially coming from a respected lawyer of international recognition.

Enobore said what was more worrisome is a growing consistency by the author to vilify the Nigerian Correctional Service without a just course.

He recalled that in February 2021, the author alleged that a high profile inmate who was on remand in the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Kaduna contracted COVID-19 in custody.

“The alarm which insinuated that inmates were kept in squalor and exposed to debilitating health conditions, triggered condemnation from various quarters.

“Subsequently, an independent COVID-19 test by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) in conjunction with the personal physician of the then inmate was conducted. The result came negative without a trace of the disease in her system,” he said.

The statement read in part: “Now the alarm is being raised over hearsay arrangements to keep in custody, persons other than those legally convicted yet no name of persons or custodial centre is mentioned.

“The Service is compelled to respond to the allegation in order to correct the wrong impression and prevent disaffection the information is capable of creating in the mind of Nigerians.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the process of admitting persons into custody begins with the court where the warrant is issued stating the particulars of the person concerned.

“At the designated custodial centre, the personal details are confirmed by the superintending officer before further biometrics, including photographs, are taken.

“On routine visits by the Controller in charge of the state, the inmates and their corresponding documents are checked. Furthermore, the Zonal Coordinator conducts his mandatory custodial centre inspection during which this information and general supervision of the yard is carried out.

“The Controller-General, on his own, carries out unscheduled visits to any custodial centre and prisoners’ records are checked.

“Moreover, Judges, lawyers, statutory custodial visitors, inmates’ relations, religious groups, civil society organisations and a host of other visitors regularly interface with the inmates and it is expected that where such incident is observed, an alarm is raised for appropriate action to be taken.

“Particularly intriguing in this scenario is the fact that the author is a public figure like many other distinguished Nigerians, that cannot be denied access to any custodial centre in the country upon request for a genuine course. One, therefore, wonders why he would resort to a wild statement rather than identify a particular culprit with proof of his allegation as would be expected of a patriot.

“As always, the Controller-General of Corrections, Haliru Nababa is irrevocably committed to the good course of inmates’ care and support for the betterment of the society and recent commendable performances of the inmates in both academic and vocational skills acquisition bear eloquent testimonials to this positive trajectory.

“While soliciting for constructive engagements and contributions from well-meaning Nigerians towards improving custodial management in the country, the Controller General assures of his unwavering determination to put the Service on a higher pedestal,” it said.

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