Correctional Service denies custody of 'End Bad Governance' protest suspects

By Ukpono Ukpong

The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has clarified that suspects involved in the ‘End Bad Governance’ protest were not remanded in its adult custodial facilities, contrary to reports circulating in some media outlets.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer, Nigerian Correctional Service, Umar Abubakar.

The protest, which took place in August 2024, led to the arraignment of several individuals before Justice Obiora Egwuatu at the Federal High Court, Abuja, on charges of treason.

Following reports in the section of the media that the suspects who were arraigned before Justice Obiora Egwuatu at the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, for treason, during the End Bad Governance protest that held in August 2024, were remanded in one of the adult custodial centres in Abuja.

The NCoS, however, refuted claims, whom it described as “misleading” and have “no iota of truth.”

This statement comes amid heightened attention to the treatment of individuals arrested during the protest.

Abubakar highlighted that the Nigerian Correctional Service Act of 2019 empowers the Controllers of Corrections and Superintendents in charge of custodial centers to refuse admission of juveniles into adult facilities.

The Nigerian Correctional Service further explained that it has an obligation under the law to reject new inmates when its facilities reach capacity.

“There are misleading reports making the rounds in some sections of the media purporting that the suspects who were arraigned before Justice Obiora Egwuatu at the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, for treason, during the End Bad Governance protest that held in August 2024, were remanded in one of the adult custodial centres in Abuja.

“The said report has no iota of truth as the Service operates based on best correctional and global practices. To set records straight, the Nigerian Correctional Service Act 2019 has empowered the Controllers of Corrections as well as Superintendents-in-charge of Custodial Centres not to admit juveniles in facilities meant for adults. The Act also mandates the Service to reject more intake of inmates where it is apparent that the custodial facility in question is filled to capacity.

According to the NCoS, these safeguards are put in place to maintain humane conditions within the centers and to protect the rights of those detained.

The statement from the NCoS also underscored its commitment to respecting human rights, especially for juvenile offenders.

The NCoS urged members of the public to disregard the reports, which it described as untrue.

“The Service wishes to inform the public that the said suspects were rejected and none of the suspects was remanded in adult custodial facilities as insinuated by the said report.

“The Service assures the public that the Nigerian Correctional Service would continue to emphasize professionalism as well as respect for human rights in line with the United Nations Minimum Standard Rules for the Treatment of Juvenile offenders.

“Furthermore, the general public is enjoined to discountenance the said report as it is not the true position of things.”