Legal Aid Council commends facilities at Kuje correctional centre

The Director General of the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria (LACON), Aliyu Bagudu Abubakar has commended the standard of facilities for the rehabilitation of inmates at the Nigerian Correctional Service Correctional Centre in Kuje, FCT.

Abubakar, who stated this during the recent lawyers and paralegals’ monthly custodial centres visit, described the computers in the ICT unit used by inmates for their lectures and those for recreational activities, as “Very good and  meet international standards.”

The director general, who was represented by the Acting Director of FCT, Barr. Okwuegbu Egenti, also commended the Controller General of Corrections, Haliru Nababa for a good job.

The visiting team interviewed 28 inmates for representation in the courts while expressing sadness that majority of the inmates, aged between 17 and 35 years, were indicted on drugs-related offences while about 40% of them are armed robbery, conspiracy and theft.

• Alleged N2bn fraud: Court dismisses TSTV CEO, Echefu’s suit to stop police probe
• Flood: 6 schools still inaccessible – Borno govt

Responding, the correctional centre’s Welfare Officer, Mr Jacob, appreciated the Council for the good job they are doing and encouraged them to do more despite their lean resources.

He noted that between 30 and 35 inmates of the correctional centre are taken to various courts for their hearing some days, adding that some are represented by the Council have met their bail conditions and were discharged.