By Kwin Israel, The Sight News
The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has assured Nigerians of the Federal Government’s commitment to holistic reforms in the Correctional Service.
He made this assurance at the official launch of the report on the National Assessment of the situation of Children and Young Adults Deprived of Liberty in Abuja.
He stated that the Nigeria Correctional Service Act of 2019 mandates that issues on juvenile delinquency be addressed through reforms, rehabilitation, reintegration of offenders into the society.
“I’m passionate about giving inmates, especially children and young adults, a second chance, as I strongly believe that a minor action should not be a major setback for his future,” he said.
He decried the high number of correctional centres across the country as against the ratio of inmates to the population saying, “There are certain questions we need to ask ourselves; like do we need 256 Correctional centres in Nigeria?
“When you compare the ratio of inmates to the population, Nigeria is one of the least. We have 84,000 inmates in a country of about 200 million people, so why should we have 256 correctional centres? How many armed correctional guards do we have to secure the 256 centres? We need to ask ourselves these questions”.
The Minister said that in the Bobrisky case, it is not going to be business as usual. “We are resolute. By next week, the committee will be ready with the report. My concern is not about Bobrisky, but about my officers. If any officer is found wanting, he must face the penalty”.
He reiterated that beyond a name change from prisons to corrections, the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is committed to taking all necessary measures to reform the Correctional Service into a hub for rehabilitation, reformation, and redemption.
“The correctional service cannot continue to be a point of disgrace to the Nigerian Government. We will not allow the actions of a few to destroy the integrity of the generality of the institution,” he added.
He also noted that the committee will be expanded to address such issues when they arise in future. “We will expand the committee because when the crisis calls it is an opportunity for reform”.
While appreciating the efforts of all contributors to the report, Dr. Tunji-Ojo assured the public that the government will carefully pay attention to all issues raised, and ensure that sustainable solutions are sought.
He further assured UNICEF of his ministry’s support in addressing issues relating to juvenile justice.
In attendance were key stakeholders and partners including officials of the Ministry of Justice, National Assembly, Prisoner’s Rehabilitation and Welfare Action, UNICEF, Nigerian Bar Association, British High Commission, US Embassy, European Union, NBS_Nigeria, Nigerian Police Force and National Human Rights Commission, amongst others.
