Inmate Misconduct: Correctional service denies pardoning officer

The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has refuted a report by Sahara Reporters claiming that an officer who allegedly took an inmate out of custody for conjugal intimacy was pardoned, while the whistleblower was dismissed. In a statement issued on Saturday by the Service Public Relations Officer, Abubakar Umar, the NCoS described the report as “misleading and malicious,” aimed at tarnishing the Service’s image. Umar clarified that the officer in question, ASC I Efe Onakpoya (Service No. 57790), was actually dismissed following a thorough disciplinary investigation. He was found guilty of “acts unbecoming of a public officer,” particularly for taking unauthorised photographs of an inmate, Ibuchi Eze, at the Medium Security Custodial Centre (MSCC), Afikpo, and uploading them online. He added that Onakpoya also made false allegations against the Service, including the claim that an inmate was taken out for a conjugal visit. Umar stressed that the NCoS remained committed to discipline, integrity, and professionalism, and would not condone any actions that undermine its core values. He urged the public to disregard the report and remain vigilant against attempts to discredit the Service, reaffirming NCoS’s commitment to transparency and accountability. 

#ENDBADGOVERNCE Arrests: NCoS Refutes Claims of Juvenile Detention in Adult Facilities

The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has countered reports suggesting it detained minors involved in recent #EndBadGovernance protests within adult custodial facilities in Abuja.  Following the protests, 76 individuals were arraigned, with the court ordering separate detention for underage defendants in a juvenile center and adult detainees in standard facilities. Speculations surfaced that the Kuje Correctional Centre lacked juvenile-specific accommodations, raising concerns over possible mixed detentions.  NCoS responded, clarifying that its policies and the Nigerian Correctional Service Act 2019 strictly prevent juveniles from being housed alongside adults.  It further stated that overcrowded facilities have the authority to reject new inmates, ensuring adherence to proper procedures. The NCoS urged the public to disregard misinformation, emphasizing its ongoing commitment to best practices and the protection of detainees’ rights.