By Abba -Eku Onyeka
Abuja
Participants at a high-level stakeholders’ engagement have acknowledged the deep-seated challenges plaguing Nigeria’s correctional system, including overcrowding, prolonged pre-trial detention, and gaps in the implementation of legal frameworks.
The event, convened by the Ministry of Interior, brought together key actors from government, the justice sector, security agencies, civil society organisations, and development partners to validate the report of the Independent Investigative Panel on alleged corruption and other violations against the Nigerian Correctional Service.
The Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, in his keynote address emphasized that the decision to establish the panel was guided by a deliberate choice to undertake a thorough and honest assessment of the issues, rather than a superficial review.
The panel, inaugurated on November 24, 2024, concluded its assignment after 16 months of rigorous investigation, stakeholder engagement, and analysis.
The investigation was initiated in response to serious allegations, including corruption, abuse of authority, and human rights violations within correctional facilities.
The findings underscore the urgent need to align the operations of the Service with principles of justice, professionalism, and respect for human dignity.
Key recommendations from the engagement include expansion of non-custodial measures, improved access to justice, protection of vulnerable groups, strengthening of oversight and accountability mechanisms, and enhanced welfare and working conditions for correctional personnel.
The Minister stressed that correctional facilities must evolve beyond custodial roles to become centres of reformation, rehabilitation, reintegration, and societal transformation.
The Attorney-General of the Federation, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, commended the Minister for his leadership in facilitating the process and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to upholding human rights through strengthened institutional frameworks.
Stakeholders have resolved to build a correctional system that is humane, efficient, transparent, and aligned with national priorities and international human rights standards.
