THE special investigative panel set up by the Federal Government to look into allegations of corruption, abuse of power, torture, and cruel, inhumane, and degrading treatment against the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), yesterday began its probe into senior personnel of the service accused of corrupt practices.
Secretary of the panel, Dr. Uju Agomoh, who led the session, said that a good number of cases brought before the panel involved very senior correctional officers and in-charges of custodial centres across Nigeria, where the alleged corrupt practices took place.
She said that the panel, in its terms of reference, is charged with conducting a thorough inquiry into specific cases and recommending immediate measures to prevent future occurrences and improve correctional administration and services in Nigeria.
She noted, “Recent reports have emerged regarding instances of corruption, torture, and cruel, inhumane, and degrading treatment by correctional officers in Nigeria’s correctional facilities.
“These allegations include violations of laid-down rules, abuse of authority, and mistreatment of inmates, undermining the rights and dignity of individuals within the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service.”
The Secretary also pointed out that the panel’s scope of work includes recommendations for immediate, medium-term, and long-term actions.
Recall that the Federal Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, set up the independent investigative panel following the widely known case of cross-dresser Idris Okunneya, popularly known as Bobrisky, amid controversy over whether he served his prison term in the designated custodial centre.
The panel is also investigating cases of corruption and extortion against the person in-charge of Kuje custodial centre, Iloafonsi Ikechukwu, who was said to have intimidated, threatened, and defrauded an inmate in custody.
