By Edwin Philip
No fewer than 10 professional health associations in Nigeria have promised to support the on going reforms in the Nigerian correctional service, championed by the ministry of interior under the leadership of Dr. OlubunmiTunji-Ojo, to ensure that the dignity and humility of the inmates in custodial centres are upheld as well as the staff welfare enhanced.
The health associations made their commitments during their various presentations at the day 4 of the ongoing 2nd Public Hearing of the Independent Investigative Panel on Alleged Corruption and Other Violations Against the Nigerian Correctional Service, holding at the Abuja Continental Hotel, FCT, Abuja.
The associations includes; Nigerian Medical Association, National Association of Clinical Psychologist, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, National Association of Laboratory Technologist, National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development among others.
The associations who took turns to present papers detailing how the health of inmates and staff of the custodial centres can be enhanced, promised to reached out to their members in different states of the federation, to dedicate certain days to visit the correctional centres to provide such services free of charge in collaborations with the existing medical personnels on ground.
It was however revealed that the health facilities, equipment and personnels at the correctional centres are not adequate and ethical standards not upheld to cater for the growing population of the custodial facilities.
In her speech, the Chairperson of the investigative panel, Dr. Magdalene Ajana, who is also the Permanent Secretary ministry of interior, urged State government to always support the custodial centres domicile in their states, with the provisions of medical needs of the inmates, in the areas of health insurance schemes and medical supplies.
In an earlier sitting, the panel had looked at the case of detainees from Ezza-Efium communities in Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, who were incarcerated at the Abakiliki Correctional centre since 2021, which stemmed from a leadership over a market toll collection in the area, who were later released due to insufficient evidence to prosecute them.
The charged against them, was said to lack sufficient evidence, according to the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Ebony State, Ben Odoh, who discharged them after reviewing the case, citing section 167(1) of Ebonyi State Administration of Criminal Justice Law 2019, saying that the charges of conspiracy and war, and incitement of war, was contrary to section 516 (A) (a) and 42 of the criminal code cap 33 volume 1, laws of Ebonyi State of Nigeria 2009 or any other offence against the defendant.
Speaking at the investigative panel, the Controller of Corrections, Nigerian Correctional Service, Ebonyi State Command, Offem Bassie, said not all the detainees were released, she raised concerns of severe overcrowding at the medium security custodial centre in Abakiliki, the facility originally built in 1949 to accommodate 387 inmates, now houses 1, 323 inmates, which poses a serious security threat to the State.
The panel in their submission reiterated the utilisation of non custodial measures to solve the problem of custodial centres congestion, which has put pressure on the system, which is also a measure areas where the reform of Correctional Service is centered.