By Palma Ileye
Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has said that the Federal Government was working assiduously to accelerate the judicial process, aiming for speedy trials for inmates awaiting trial.
Tunji-Ojo, who said this yesterday during an unscheduled inspection visit to the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Kuje, Abuja, said government was committed to decongesting correctional centers, especially for awaiting trial inmates.
He said that the Ministry was working closely with the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation, AGF, to bridge the gap in the time frame for conviction of inmates.
“We are working together, looking at inmates that perhaps have spent more time awaiting trial than they would have suffered or spent if they were convicted.
“In this particular facility, over 200 inmates are convicted while about 804 are awaiting trials, so, we have to design a methodology by being innovative.
“In the next couple of weeks or months, you are going to see drastic reduction in the number of inmates that we have.
“I want to assure you that we are working very closely with the AGF on ways to decongest our correctional centers,” he said.
The Minister, however, said that a lot of work was still needed to be done across the 240 correctional centers across the country.
He said that the Ministry would embark on scheduled visits to other Correctional Centers outside the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.
He said, “We will be able to see things for ourselves so that both the ministry, Nigerian Bar Association, NBA and other stakeholders will know the right way to intervene in the situation of the correctional service.”
While emphasising the need for collaboration among stakeholders to ensure timely justice delivery, he lauded the dedication of correctional service personnel towards ensuring inmates are properly catered.
The NBA President, Afam Osigwe, in his remarks said that he had requested for the data of inmates awaiting trial and to know if there were cases pending against them.
“This will help the NBA probe on new units and how lawyers can also come in to move for their release.
“Also, for persons who may have spent longer time than they would spent if they were convicted; to see the process we can put in place to get them released,” he said.
Also, the Federal Government has commended inmates of the Kuje Medium Security Custodial Centre for their commitment to reformatory skill acquisition which was aimed at their rehabilitation and successful reintegration into society.
The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, gave the commendation during a visit to Kuje custodial centre on Wednesday.
He said that the visit was necessitated following the Federal Government’s commitment to ensure the well-being and rehabilitation of inmates.
“I decided to come without prompting them, to come and see the living condition of inmates and interact with the inmates directly.
“”We wanted to see the medical facility, their skill acquisition centers, see them actually practicing their skills as well as the National Open University.
“I think we are very pleased that the story that we are seeing today, is quite different from the general public perception,” he said.
He said that the welfare of inmates remained vital to the Federal Government, hence the establishment skill acquisition programs.
He appreciated the receptive attitude of inmates towards stakeholders and facilitators who are dedicated to the rehabilitation of inmates.
He said, “Inmates are receptive because they not in prison but in a correctional center. I want to thank you for your interest.
“We believe you are here not as condemned people but as tools and raw materials that we can process into a wonderful finished product.
“You are here to be corrected, rehabilitated, restored and transformed, that is our believe and I am happy the institute and other stakeholders are partnering to give you a new lease of life.
“It is my desire that you learn so that when you go out there you will be adequately, intellectually empowered to live a self reliant and sustainable life.”
Meanwhile, facilitators from the Nigeria Institute of Building, NIB, in collaboration with the Chemical and Allied Product, CAP, were conducting a two-weeks training for inmates in the center.
A trainer from CAP, Mr. Gbenga Ogunfolaji, said that the company intends to conduct the training quarterly for inmates.
“We actually planned for 50 inmates but their interest and enthusiasm was so much that we are having 78 participants and they are very receptive and eager to learn,” Ogunfolaji said.
Similarly, a facilitator from the Building Institute, Mr. Omale Peter, said that the government’s interest in technical education prompted the need to key in by supporting inmates in line with the National Skills Qualification, NSQ.
“All the learners that are being thought here, after their practical assessment are expected to be given NSQ certification,” he said.
