By: Goodluck E. Adubazi, Abuja.
On the fourth day of the independent investigative panel probing allegations of corruption, abuse of power, torture, and other human rights violations involving the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), focus shifted to the status and challenges of implementing non-custodial measures in the country.
Dr. Uju Agomoh, the panel’s Secretary and a contributor to the proceedings, provided a detailed summary of the day’s session. She emphasized the need to improve the application of alternatives to imprisonment, such as fines, compensation, community service, probation, and parole.
One of the critical issues raised was the handling of inmates given the option of fines or compensation. The panel requested the NCoS to provide comprehensive data on inmates who were released following interventions by the Minister of Interior, including the amount of funds used and the number of beneficiaries.
According to information presented to the panel, in December 2023, the Minister of Interior facilitated the release of 4,086 inmates by raising ₦585 million through private contributions to pay fines and compensation for low-risk offenders. The panel commended this initiative but requested further breakdowns across all custodial centres and states.
Additionally, the panel directed the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria to submit records of fine payments made on behalf of inmates in recent years and requested collaboration from other stakeholders, including SPIDEL (NBA), to push for more efficient fine administration.
Dr. Agomoh noted concerns about the inefficiency of the current system, citing cases where inmates serve months in custody due to unpaid fines as low as ₦10,000 or ₦30,000, despite the higher cost of incarceration to the government.
She stressed the need for a comprehensive review of the fine system and better utilization of non-custodial measures to reduce overcrowding in correctional facilities. The panel also proposed the establishment of a Victim Compensation Fund to address unresolved compensation payments that prevent the release of eligible inmates.
Attention was also drawn to the implementation of Section 37(1) of the Nigerian Correctional Service Act, 2019, which outlines non-custodial measures. The NCoS was asked to provide state-by-state statistics on community service, probation, parole, and related interventions.
Concerns were raised over budgetary constraints. The panel queried the lack of funding despite legal provisions that support non-custodial services and requested the NCoS to submit budgetary records from 2019 to date, including years when funding requests were made, denied, or omitted.
The panel also demanded detailed staffing data. Although it was disclosed that 1,563 officers serve under the Non-Custodial Directorate, disparities were noted — with Kebbi State having 131 officers and Imo State only seven.
The panel requested updated statistics, recruitment plans, and a breakdown of officer deployment across Nigeria’s 774 local government areas.
Furthermore, the panel asked for the NCoS’s strategic plan regarding facilities, training, operational manuals, and resource allocation. It was emphasized that while collaboration from academic institutions and volunteers (e.g., a recent partnership with social science interns in Anambra State) is welcome, proper training and oversight remain critical.
International and local civil society organizations, including UNICEF, United Action Against Corruption and Injustice International, Prison Fellowship, and others, were acknowledged for their submissions and recommendations, which the panel promised to consider.
The Chairperson of the Panel and Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Interior, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, expressed appreciation for the contributions of all stakeholders and the Nigerian Correctional Service.
“I want to especially thank every institution present, the media for live coverage, and Nigerians watching online. If there is more information to share, please send it to the Secretariat,” she said.
Dr. Ajani also noted that a closed-door session will be held tomorrow, Friday, August 15, accessible by invitation only, and encouraged stakeholders to submit any final documentation to the Secretariat beforehand.
As the panel continues its investigation, today’s session made it clear that non-custodial measures remain a vital but underutilized tool in addressing Nigeria’s overstretched correctional facilities and ensuring a more humane justice system.