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Tag: Nigeria Prisons Service

  • Presidential Committee frees 84 prisoners

    The Presidential Committee on Prisons Reform and Decongestion has secured the release of a total of 84 prisons inmates from the Edo State Command of the Nigerian Prisons Service.

    They were advised to re-enter the free society with apologies to their parents and other loved ones for their misconducts and become useful citizens to themselves, families and the entire nation.

    They were released from the various prisons as follow:

    MSP Oko — 22

    Benin Prison (old) — 33

    Ozalla Farm Centre — 3

    Auchi Prison — 7

    Female Prison, Auchi — 1

    Ubiaja Prison — 3

    Ogba Farm Project — 15

    According to a statement in Abuja by the Nigeria Prisons Service (NPS) Edo State Command Public Relations Officer, DSP Aminu Suleman, the jubilant inmates, some of whom have acquired skills in various trades while serving their jail terms, had their fines of varying amount paid by the Committee on behalf of the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation in collaboration with the Edo State Government and other donors.

    READ ALSO: Presidential Committee on drug abuse begins work

    The committee, which visited the state to carry out its mandate, is headed by Hon. Justice Ishaq Bello the Chief Judge of the FCT and has Deputy Controller General of Prisons (DCG Ops) Garba Abubakar  as member, Mrs Ayoola Daniels as Secretary and several Directors spread across the various relevant federal ministries as members.

    Also present at the committee’s sitting in the prisons were the Chief Judge of Edo State Hon. Justice Esohen Ikponmwen; the Controller of Prisons CP Joseph Usendiah; the State Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice Prof. (Mrs.) Oluyinka Osayame Omorogbe, Senior Judges of the High Courts and Magistrates among others.

  • Prison service dismisses 3 officers for trafficking Indian hemp

    The Controller General of the Nigeria Prisons Service (NPS), Ja’afaru Ahmed yesterday  approved the dismissal of three junior prison officers for allegedly smuggling prohibited items capable of compromising security into the prison yard.

    Dismissed were  IP Samaila Inusa;  PA 11 Jonathan Ibrahim and PA 11 Adamu Jethro.

    Their dismissal followed the recommendation of the Zonal Disciplinary Committee that found the officers guilty of smuggling illicit items such as Indian hemp (cannabis) and other intoxicants into the prison for inmates.

    According to a statement issued by the NPS’ spokesman, Francis Enobore: “the Controller General has resolved to ensure that proven cases of indiscipline against any personnel particularly on offences that are capable of causing security breach, are promptly meted with appropriate sanctions according to law.

    “While this action is to serve as a deterrent to would be incorrigible individuals, the Prisons boss further warned that stiffer punishment awaits anyone found guilty of compromising standards and good conduct expected of a Correction Officer.”

  • Ekiti 2018: INEC distributes non-sensitive materials

    Fayemi, Olusola, others pledge a peaceful poll

     

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has distributed non-sensitive electoral materials across the sixteen local government areas ahead of the July 14 governorship election.

    The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Prof. AbdulGaniy Raji, disclosed this to reporters at a security meeting with party candidates held at the state police command headquarters in Ado-Ekiti.

    The meeting was attended by all heads of security agencies in the state including the Police, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) and Nigeria Prisons Service (NPS).

    He explained that the sensitive materials will be distributed to the council areas twenty four hours before the election is held.

    The electoral chief explained that INEC would be fair and transparent to all political parties adding that the votes of the electorate will count at the poll.

    Read Also: We’ve registered 9.7 million new voters, says INEC chairman

    Raji said: “We are satisfied with the meeting and we have cordial relations with the political parties. They have all agreed to remain calm before, during and after the election and we are counting on their words. We on our part, we promised to remain with our core values, to be transparent and be fair to all.

    “We are fully prepared for the election. All non-sensitive materials have all been distributed to the local government areas and the sensitive materials will only come a day before election.

    “I have been around the local government areas in the state and we have asked for the cooperation to ensure peace reign during the election. We have equally given them our words to ensure that people’s vote count. With the structures will have put in place, the votes must count.”

    Candidates standing for the election have pledged to maintain peace before, during and after the July 14 poll “in the interest of the state”

    All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, said the security agencies assured of them adequate security of lives and property of the citizens.

    Represented by Director of Mobilization of his campaign, Mr. Femi Bamisile, Fayemi, while lamenting recent killings in the state, noted that the candidates have all agreed with the security agencies on ways to ensure peaceful poll in the state.

    He said: “We had an interactive session with the security agencies, we all basically agreed to what the security apparatus had told us and I want to tell you this is not the first election we will be having in Ekiti state.

    “It is a process that needs to be done. All political parties told them (security agencies) what our problem is and what we have been able to envisaged on, killings that has been happening within the state.

    “We discussed and we assured them that we are going to have hitch-free in the state without intimidation from anybody. What bothers the mind is that why are the killings happening in this period of election.”

    People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Prof. Kolapo Olusola, stressed that the interactive session has availed candidates to agree on how to prevent violence in the course of the campaigns and on election day.

    The Deputy Governor urged the people of the state to summon the courage on the day of election to exercise their civic rights, adding that federal would not work in the state.

    Olusola said: “We just concluded an interactive session with the security agencies and all of us the candidates have agreed on certain issues as it relate with how to prevent violence and other things.

    They have assured us and we believe with what transpired today, all stakeholders are prepared for free, fair and transparent poll come July 14.

    “The people should be bold enough to go out and perform their civic right. Nobody will harass anybody because the security agencies have assured us of non-partisanship. No federal might will work here, electorates should go out cast their votes and leave the rest.”

    Also the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Bello Ahmed assured that all security agencies are ready for the poll, noting that flashpoints in the state had been analyzed.

    Ahmed said: “The essence of the discussion is to analyze the current political situations in the state. We all know current situation of the state ahead of the July 14 poll.

    “At the moments, all the candidates have been told our own side and we want to assure them that the remaining period of the campaigns and voting day, all must be well.

    “We briefed them on our security arrangement and urge the need to play by the rules and everybody must be allowed to exercise their franchise. So far, so good, we are ready to conduct this election even if it is tomorrow.”

  • ‘There’s more to crime-fighting than jail’

    At an event where the Federal Government gave various jobs tools to ex-inmates, the Controller General (CG), Nigeria Prisons Service (NPS) Ja’afaru Ahmed has said that the idea of jail term alone for every convict has become outdated.

    Ahmed said this in Abuja at the distribution of aftercare materials to 45 ex-offenders and the official takeover of the renovated Henry Akingba Medical centre at the NPS headquarters.

    He said the presentation of aftercare materials is part of NPS core mandate which is the reformation, rehabilitation and subsequent reintegration of prisoners back to the society.

    He said, “The world over, the idea of imprisonment for punishment alone has become primitive and outdated. It is our sincere conviction that incarceration is not the end of life for anybody, as every jail term if desired, can be used to transform the life of an individual and return him/her back to the society as a better productive and responsible citizen.

    “The effect of a successful reformation, rehabilitation and reintegration regime for Prisoners can certainly not be over emphasized. As you all know, this is one of the most potent means of crime prevention and control and also a means of breaking the vicious cycle of recidivism and prison congestion.

    “Trade tools distributed today cover barbing, carpentry, welding, hair dressing, tailoring and masonry among the so many other vocations Prisoners are exposed to, in our various Prisons. I believe the skills acquired by these ex-prisoners and the tools will offer them a more quantitative life through gainful employment and give them an opportunity to be employers of labour as we witness with some of their predecessors.    “As for the renovated medical center, I wish at this point to express my sincere appreciate to AIICO Multishield HMO for partnering with us in our resolve to give officers and men in the NPS quality, accessible and affordable health care.”

    The upgrade of the medical facilities, the NPS boss said could not have come at no better time than now: “that the government has improved our budgetary provision to enable us purchase a cache of drugs for both inmates and members of staff like never before, in the history of the service.”

    He commended President Muhammadu Buhari and the Minister of Interior, Lt. Gen. Bello Dambazau (rtd) for their commitment and generous support in providing the service with the necessary platform for better and efficient service delivery.

    He urged all the beneficiaries of the Aftercare programme to justify government’s heavy investment in providing these tools by working hard and being worthy ambassadors of the Nigerian Prisons Service.

     

  • ‘There’s more to crime-fighting than jail’

    At an event where the Federal Government gave various jobs tools to ex-inmates, the Controller General (CG), Nigeria Prisons Service (NPS) Ja’afaru Ahmed has said that the idea of jail term alone for every convict has become outdated.

    Ahmed said this in Abuja at the distribution of aftercare materials to 45 ex-offenders and the official takeover of the renovated Henry Akingba Medical centre at the NPS headquarters.

    He said the presentation of aftercare materials is part of NPS core mandate which is the reformation, rehabilitation and subsequent reintegration of prisoners back to the society.

    He said, “The world over, the idea of imprisonment for punishment alone has become primitive and outdated. It is our sincere conviction that incarceration is not the end of life for anybody, as every jail term if desired, can be used to transform the life of an individual and return him/her back to the society as a better productive and responsible citizen.

    “The effect of a successful reformation, rehabilitation and reintegration regime for Prisoners can certainly not be over emphasized. As you all know, this is one of the most potent means of crime prevention and control and also a means of breaking the vicious cycle of recidivism and prison congestion.

    “Trade tools distributed today cover barbing, carpentry, welding, hair dressing, tailoring and masonry among the so many other vocations Prisoners are exposed to, in our various Prisons. I believe the skills acquired by these ex-prisoners and the tools will offer them a more quantitative life through gainful employment and give them an opportunity to be employers of labour as we witness with some of their predecessors.    “As for the renovated medical center, I wish at this point to express my sincere appreciate to AIICO Multishield HMO for partnering with us in our resolve to give officers and men in the NPS quality, accessible and affordable health care.”

    The upgrade of the medical facilities, the NPS boss said could not have come at no better time than now: “that the government has improved our budgetary provision to enable us purchase a cache of drugs for both inmates and members of staff like never before, in the history of the service.”

    He commended President Muhammadu Buhari and the Minister of Interior, Lt. Gen. Bello Dambazau (rtd) for their commitment and generous support in providing the service with the necessary platform for better and efficient service delivery.

    He urged all the beneficiaries of the Aftercare programme to justify government’s heavy investment in providing these tools by working hard and being worthy ambassadors of the Nigerian Prisons Service.

     

  • NPS raises alarm over influx of awaiting trial inmates

    Nigeria Prisons Service (NPS) Controller General Ja’afaru Ahmed has expressed sadness over the rate of influx in population of awaiting trial inmates in prisons cross the country.

    Ahmed said the development if not checked would make mockery of present decongestion efforts of the Federal Government.

    2015 Administration of Criminal Justice Act, he said should be domesticated and implemented in states to pave way for alternative to custodial punishment.

    The prison boss spoke in Abuja during a facility tour of Dukpa Prison Farm Centre, in Gwagwalada Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command.

    He said as of December 15, there were 48,527 awaiting-trial inmates nationwide, representing 66 per cent of a total prison population of 72,384.

    Ahmed, who was represented by the NPS spokesman, Francis Enobore, said: “The year 2017 has been a challenging period for the Service, largely due to the perennial overcrowding phenomenon among the pre-trial detainees. Managing this category of inmates has always been fraught with risks and myriad of problems even with the deployment of large toll of the Services’ human and material resources. For this reason the CGP in 2016 when he came on board promised to face the problem differently.

    “The feat was however not without some challenges. Although the population of inmates awaiting trial shows a considerable reduction but the rate of influx, if care is not taken, will sooner than later make a travesty of the present decongestion effort. Some state task forces arrest minor offenders like street hawkers and even those without proof of means of livelihood and send them to the prison without a corresponding mechanism for further care and support. We are of the opinion that the 2015 Administration of Criminal Justice Act should be domesticated and implemented in states so that alternative to custodial punishment can be used.

    “Also of significant concern is the rejection of ex-convicts by members of the society. It is sad that the sanctimonious attitude of some relations of offenders has remained a bane in ex-convicts reintegration back into the society. These offenders often return to crime due to continuous discrimination and unfriendly disposition of members of the society. We believe that ex-offenders that have served term in the prison have received due punishment for their wrongful behaviour and therefore should be forgiven so that the circle of criminality can be broken.”

    Ahmed disclosed that the investigation report of the jail break in Ikot Ekpene Prison in Akwa-Ibom State wil soon be made public adding assuring that any officer found wanting in the report will be sanctioned without fear or favour.

    The Dukpa Prison Farm Centre, operated by the FCT Command of the NPS, fetches the Federal Government N3 million annually, according to the officer in charge, Mr. Benjamin Jatau.

    Leading reporters on a tour of the facility, Jatau, an Assistant Controller of Prisons, said the revenue was generated from the sale of products of the farm.

    He stated that the facility, established in 2006, was one of the 17 integrated farm centres run by the NPS nationwide.

    According to him, the farm which sits on 27 hectres of land in Dukpa community, Gwagwalada Area Council, was designed to teach inmates vocation in poultry, cattle rearing, fishery and piggery.

    “Besides, we grow some crops, mainly rice and maize, and then we have some subsidiary crops like soya beans.

    “All these activities are done by the inmates under the supervision of staff and professionals.

    “The aim of the farm is to affect the communities around on cropping techniques and modern livestock farming methods,” he said.

    Jatau said that every season the farm produced between 40 and 6o bags of maize, including Quality Protein Maize, “which is good for diabetes patients”.

     

  • Police personnel to participate in fitness exercise in Enugu

    Police personnel to participate in fitness exercise in Enugu

    Over 750 policemen and other personnel from sister security agencies and corporate bodies are to participate in the police routine monthly fitness exercise in Enugu.

    Officers and men of other security agencies invited to the exercise included: Nigeria Prisons Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps ( NSCDC ), Federal Road Safety Corps ( FRSC ) and the National Drug Law enforcement Agency ( NDLEA ).

    The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, SP Ebere Amaraizu, said in Enugu that the exercise would be the last for the year and that it would hold on Saturday.

    Amaraizu said the exercise, tagged: “Walk/Jog for Life’’, was meant to keep the police personnel and other security personnel in Enugu State “up and doing” in the discharge of their duties.

    Read also: Police to strengthen ‘bail is free’ campaign

    He also said this would also promote synergy and co-operation among security agencies and members of the public.

    “The fitness exercise will ensure agility for officers and men of the police, other sister agencies, the media, corporate organisations and other relevant stakeholders.

    “This edition is proudly powered by MTN Nigeria.

    “The take-off point for the exercise is police headquarters, Enugu.

    “It is an engagement programme of police and its numerous public to unite us together as sports is a unifying factor.

    “It will also engender healthy life-style as well as for a safe and secure environment and state,’’ Amaraizu, who is also the sports officer of the Police Command, said.

    The Enugu State Police Command monthly exercise started in January 2013.

    NAN

  • Kwara CJ grants 16 inmates pardon

    Kwara CJ grants 16 inmates pardon

    The Kwara state Chief Judge, Justice Sulyman Kawu Thursday granted pardon to 16 prisons inmates Ilorin.

    Speaking after a visit to the Nigeria Prisons Service located at Oke Kura and Mandala prisons, Ilorin, the state, the CJ said that the exercise was carried out on the request of the federal government through the state government to effect prison decongestion in parts of the country.

    Justice Kawu said that the exercise was not aimed at short-crcuiting court trial.

    He added that the inmates were granted freedom either for unlawful arrest and detention, or civil cases that required no detention.

    It was gathered that the Oke Kura prisons with 121 capacity had a total of 425 inmates, while that of Mandala prisons had 160 capacity with 239 inmates.

    The CJ, who said that he would pay regular visit to the prisons to effect prison decongestion, advised those freed to find something doing.

    Said he: “We observe over time, that most of the inmates have skin disease and we urge the authorities of the prisons to take steps arrest the situation before it spreads to other inmates. Whatever we feel the state government can do for you as you requested earlier, we will try our best to contact the state government to fulfill its promise of providing vehicle for you and to take urge steps to provide medical inputs to treat those inmates who are sick.

    “We have gone through the list of a total of 182 inmates consisting of convicted and awaiting trial and we have come to a decision, upon examination that 15 inmates are deserving of being released in custody today. The basis of our decision to release them is mainly because we are of the view that their detention is manifestly unlawful.

    “We have seen that some of the cases are civil in nature and not criminal which will not attract any arrest or detention.

    “We also observed that in some cases the instruments of arraignment are either defective or not available. No proceeding can issue out of invalid instruments. So we have taken steps to release these inmates.

    “We also observed that there are some juveniles detained for belonging to a gang of thieves, through the facts contained in the First Information (FR). We are of the view that the facts do not support the allegations contained in the FIR. So we have ordered they be released forthwith.

    “I just want to seize this opportunity to urge you to go and find something to do, because i will not want to find you back in the next one or 10 years. Please do not involve yourselves in any criminal act again.

    Earlier, the officer in charge of Ilorin Prison, DCP Adeyinka Adebayo, said that facilities in the prisons were overstretched, adding that overpopulation situation had resulted in different kind of diseases like scabies, craw craw etc.

  • Escape in Kuje Prison: Officer-in-Charge, 13 others suspended

    Escape in Kuje Prison: Officer-in-Charge, 13 others suspended

     … Solomon Amodu, Maxwell Ajukwu still at large

    The out come of the Preliminary investigation into the last prison break at the Kuje Medium Prison has been made public.

    Following the escape of two high profile inmates, Solomon Amodu and Maxwell Ajukwu both standing trial for culpable homicide from lawful custody in Kuje Medium Security Prison on June 24, 2016, the Civil Defence, Fire, Immigration and Prisons Services Board (CDFIPB) has approved the suspension of 4 senior officers while the Controller-General of Prisons, Ja’afaru Ahmed in his capacity, also approved the suspension of 10 junior staff of the prison.

    The affected officers and men are:

    1. DCP Musa Tanko was the Officer-in-Charge of Kuje Medium Prison when the incident happened.
    2. SIP Buhari Musa Dogo
    3. PIP Stephen Edogbanya J.
    4. PIP Patrick Teru
    5. IP Usman Peter
    6. IP Dennis B. Makum
    7. IP Fassan S. Akin
    8. SPA Daka James
    9. SPA Adamu Luka
    10. SPA Zakari Yunasa
    11. PA Asnamal Samuel
    12. PA Ejegwa Patrick
    13. PA 11 Isah Ibrahim
    14. PA 11 Ngede Salifu.

    According to a statement issued in Abuja and made available to The Nation, by the Nigeria Prisons Service, (NPS), Public Relations Officer, (PRO), Frances Enobore: “the suspension is sequel to the outcome of the preliminary investigation into the incident and in consonance with PSR 030406 (2008) Revised Version; the officers were suspended from duty to allow for unhindered trial process.

    “The commissioned officers among them are to be served with letters of query while the junior staff will be given Form 96 (Charge Sheet) to explain their role in the unfortunate saga.

    “Meanwhile, efforts to recapture the fleeing prisoners in collaboration with sister security agencies are on-going. This is in addition to tightening security measures in and prison formations nationwide to forestall a repeat of such incident.

    “The Controller General wishes to solicit the cooperation of members of the public to volunteer useful information that will assist in the recapture of the fugitives.”

  • IGP seeks cooperation of Prisons, Immigration services

    IGP seeks cooperation of Prisons, Immigration services

    The Ag. Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris has solicited the cooperation of Nigeria Prisons Service and Nigeria Immigration Service in order to ensure a secured and peaceful country.

    The Ag. IGP also disclosed that those who attack recently under the guise of Boko Haram are not Nigerians.

    The IGP while soliciting the cooperation of both services noted that criminal elements arrange activities from prisons, hence the need for intelligence sharing.

    He made this known in Abuja Friday during a visit to the headquarters of both services.

    According to him: “there is need for us to work together in the area of criminal justice system by providing intelligence and in our Joint Operation Centres as the synergy will make Nigeria safer and more peaceful.

    “We need the coordination of security agencies and one way we can achieve that is by having Joint Operation Centre. This is where we will coordinate operation so that we are on the same page and keep all agencies abreast of what is going on.

    “We are the principal security agency but I would request that you deploy at least an officer to be in that centre in order for us to have coordination 24/7 and when we have any challenge, we will face it together in one direction,” he added.

    Continuing on the need for the collaboration, Idris said: “we need to cooperate with you a lot in gathering of intelligence because all over the world, prison services are sources of intelligence especially from criminals and from my years of experience, I know that we have some criminals that arrange criminal activities from prison to those outside.

    “So, that is why those of us who are outside and who are principal policing agents need to work together so that we can ensure that this country is peaceful and safe from criminal activities.

    Commenting on security at the borders, he said; “we need to secure the borders because the challenges in states is very numerous and security challenges are getting high.

    “if borders are secured, then the security within the country will be 50 percent solved. Nigeria has a very expansive border and the challenges we are faced with at the borders can be linked to problematic neighbours who are exporting some of the problems that we are facing in the country.

    Most of the problems we are facing including the recent Boko Haram, if you trace them, you will discover that they are not from Nigeria, they have their linkages to the neighbouring countries and that is why we need to coordinate together to be able to give proper security to this country.

    Responding, the Controller General of Nigeria Prisons Service, Ja’afaru Ahmed said: “Our relationship is a must because police have the power to arrest and prosecute and once you prosecute and it leaves court, then it comes to prison.

    He also said that he has repositioned the intelligence unit of the service and also directed his officers to share intelligence with police officers at Commands and Formations across the country.

    Also speaking, the Comptroller General of Immigration, Muhammad Babandede said: “as law enforcement agencies, we are supposed to work together because if we don’t, there will be chaos.

    “Criminals excel because they work together, exchange ideas together and they also put resources together,” he added.