The federal government has given the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) a four-week ultimatum to resolve cases of abuse, unlawful detention of minors, and other irregularities in juvenile custodial centres nationwide.
Magdalene Ajani, the permanent secretary at the ministry of interior, issued the directive during the third public hearing of the independent investigative panel on alleged corruption and other violations against the NCoS.
Ajani, who chairs the panel, raised concerns about the mixing of juveniles with adult inmates, poor welfare conditions, and systemic administrative lapses within the correctional system (NCoS).
“You are going to send to the ministry the status report of all the borstal centres that have been completed or not; requisites or not,” NAN quoted her as saying.
She also challenged the legal justification for admitting minors without due process, revealing that some had never been presented in court.
Ajani ordered the immediate removal of adults from facilities designated for juveniles, stressing the panel’s commitment to reforming the system and safeguarding the dignity of inmates.
“You have explained how children are admitted into borstal centres and that correctional service officers are present at those facilities,” she said.
“But when warrants are presented, we cannot trace where they originate. Now we are hearing that some of these children were never even taken to court.
“So, where exactly are these warrants coming from?
“Are security agencies issuing them? And if so, do they have the authority to commit children to foster centres without any court involvement?”
Ajani also expressed dismay over reports that inmates with mental health challenges were being held without treatment, despite the proximity of psychiatric institutions.
“In Abeokuta, there are some inmates with mental health challenges and have not been taken to any mental home,” she said.
“I know that in Abeokuta, we have a psychiatric hospital, I think one of the foremost in this country. And why have these inmates not been taken there?
“It’s not enough to chain people. It’s not even allowed for you to chain them without them having proper assessment and treatment.”
On the welfare of children born to incarcerated women, Ajani urged the NCoS to ensure proper budgetary allocations.
“You must put things right into your appropriation and make a proper budget,” she said.
“Please do what you are supposed to do. And do not think it’s the Ministry who will push it through.
“Those who are not meant to be there should be moved out immediately. Report back to the ministry within four weeks, with evidence of compliance.
“Four weeks is enough for you to sort out the problem, whatever it is. Four weeks.”
