By Edwin Philip
With about six borstal centres established by the federal government for the management of young adults or minors who are in conflict with the law across the country a handful of them seems to be serving such purpose or are functional.
This came to the fore during the day one of third public hearing on Independent Investigative Panel on Alleged Corruption, Abuse of Power, Torture, Cruel, Inhumane, and Degrading Treatment Against, the Nigerian Correctional Service, holding at Transcorp Hotel Abuja.
Speaking at the public hearing, the chairperson of the investigative panel , Dr Magdalen Ajani, who is also the Permanent Secretary of the ministry of interior, gave the directives and provided a time frame for the Ilorin, Abeakuta, Kaduna and the FCT borstal centres be reverted to purpose it was created and persons illegally occupying the facilities be evicted.
“The task before us in the third public hearing is to build on those findings, deepen our investigations, and ensure that the truth is brought to light, the focus of this public hearing will be on thematic issues kindly note that the mandate of this panel is clear one to examine the allegation of corruption, abuse of power, human right violation and other forms of misconduct against officials and institution of the Nigerian correctional service” the chairperson said.
“I will like to emphasize that setting this panel is not merely administrative exercise, it is the demonstration of the government’s commitment to transparency, accountability and justice, as a minister of Interior and as a nation we recognize the credibility of our correctional system is central to the rule of law the security sector and indeed public confidence in governance” she added.
She noted that the efforts put by the officers and men of the Nigerian Correctional Service who have are serving with dedication often under very challenging conditions, are not looked at in bad light or seeking to tarnish the image of the service, but rather to strengthened it by ensuring that the actions of a few do not undermine the integrity of the whole institutions.
“As we proceed lets be guided by fairness, objectivity and the rule of law, the testimonies evidence and submissions we will receive in the coming days will be treated with utmost seriousness” she noted.
The panel however recognised and appreciated the data collection and management by the Nigerian Correctional Service by providing up to date information of inmates and persons under their custody as against security agencies.
Presentations was made by the health and welfare directorate, on the welfare of children and young persons in custody how it should be guided by the Correctional Service act that states that non adult should not be be kept with the adult as the law provided borstal centres across the country.
He stated that the service have been collaborating with remand homes across the States as regards young offenders , adding that the service does not confirm to informal facilities holding children and young persons in custody.
On their part, the National Association of Clinical Psychologist and the Nigerian Psychological Association, commended the dedication of psychologist across the country as regards the services to inmates and staff of the Correctional Service, while applauding the investigative panel for championing reforms.
They however noted that remand homes are directly under the purview of State government and and that the panel should prevail on the State government to put up remand homes in their respective States.
The the third public hearing will last for five days, dealing with different thematic issues.