News
NCos Frees 28,149 Inmates After Payment Of Fines, Compensation In 2024
The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) says 28,149 inmates were released nationwide in 2024 after the payment of fines and compensations.
Deputy Controller General, NCoS, Mr Ibrahim Idris, disclosed this during the third public hearing of the Independent Investigative Panel on Alleged Corruption and other Violations against the service in Abuja, yesterday.
Idris said; “last year, 28,149 inmates were released as a result of payment of fines and compensations.
“I also want to urge the panel and the public that payment of fine and compensation is a very charitable thing to do,”
Idris, however, praised the role of charitable interventions in decongesting correctional facilities, adding that it had helped the Federal Government a lot.
“But when an individual wants to do it, he should follow the example of the Honourable Minister, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.
“This is when inmates were chosen, and the compensation, the fine were paid, and the inmates were even given repatriation money, “he added.
Idris maintained that the fewer the inmates in custody, the better the opportunity for proper rehabilitation.
This, he said was because even before the 2019 Act, the philosophy of NCoS had always been imprisonment as a punishment, and not for punishment.
“While it is pronounced, it is already punishment, whether the person comes to the correctional centre or not, it is already taken care of, “he said.
Also speaking, Assistant Controller General (ACG), Cyrus Lekatile, addressed the legal limitations on custodial centres in holding inmates without proper documentation, especially regarding compensation.
According to him, practically, the NCoS does not have the power to keep in custody any individual who doesn’t have a valid document for remand.
“And so, when an individual, who is sentenced with option of fine and compensation, that is, if the individual is unable to pay fine, it means naturally that he or she will serve the sentence,” he explained.
Lekatile outlined the procedures followed at the expiration of an inmate’s sentence where compensation remained unpaid.
“One, sometimes the warrants will come with compensation, and where the individual is unable to pay compensation before the end of the jail term, that compensation is converted into a jail term on the warrants.
“And then, where that particular order is not given on the warrants, the officers report this matter before the court that has actually convicted this individual.
“The judge or the magistrate will either convert the compensation to a jail term or order the release of this particular individual,”he said.
Lekatile highlighted an ongoing legislative amendment to the Nigerian Correctional Service Act, 2019, that would introduce a Victim Compensation Fund, backed by federal allocations.
“The amendment, if adopted by the legislative arm of the government, seeks creation of a victim compensation trust fund to be funded from the federal allocation.
“What matters is that the compensation to the victim will be paid from this trust fund without having anything to do with the inmates now who is unable to pay,” he said.
The NCoS ACG, however, added that inmates would still be required to perform tasks to support the fund.
“The inmates will perform some other duties that will probably generate some money, no matter how little.
“And then the money generated goes into the victim’s trust fund,” he emphasised.
The Renewed Hope Initiative in conjunction with the Rivers State Government has empowered 500 elderly citizens in Rivers State with financial support of N200,000 each.
The empowerment programme was part of activities to celebrate the third anniversary of the Renewed Hope Initiative Elderly Support Scheme RHIESS, a social investment policy initiated by the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
Speaking at the event which held at the Government House, Port Harcourt, recently, under the theme, ‘Finding Joy in Old Age,’ Senator Tinubu said the gesture which has become traditional since 2023 was a mark of gratitude in recognition of the invaluable contributions of the senior citizens to nation building.
The First Lady who was represented by the wife of the Rivers State Governor and State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative, Lady Valerie Fubara, said the scheme was to “support two hundred and fifty (250) vulnerable elderly citizens aged 65 and above in all the 36 states of the federation, the Federal Capital Territory, and veterans from the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA) totalling 9,500 selected beneficiaries across the nation.
She urged the beneficiaries to engage in activities that will make them find joy in old age.
“I encourage you to continue playing your part by staying healthy and active, nurture both your body and mind through regular exercise and meaningful engagement,” Senator Tinubu advised.
On her part, Lady Fubara said the State Government through the magnanimity of the governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has increased the beneficiaries of the programme from 250 to 500.
She restated the commitment of the State Government towards provision of social welfare and improving the standard of living of the elderly in the State.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP), Dr Vetty Agala, said the State Government has through the Health4allrivers Initiative, introduced free medical care for senior citizens in the State, in line with the Renewed Hope Initiative.
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Rivers State Council, has urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to expedite the prosecution of the Director of the now distressed MBA Forex Trading, Mr. Maxwell Odum, in the interest of justice.
The Rivers State NUJ made the appeal during a courtesy visit to the EFFC’s Ag. Zonal Director, ACE Hassan Saidu, in Port Harcourt, recently.
The council’s chairman, Comrade Paul Bazia, said the appeal became imperative after it considered the number of Nigerians and others involved in the financial misconduct.
According to him, it has caused hardship among many households in the country and should be given the attention it deserves.
He said that investors cannot come into a country or invest in an economy or nation ridden with fraud.
This, he said, has made it more imperative to arrest, prosecute and convict alleged fraudsters like the MBA Forex Director, who is alleged to have defrauded thousands of unsuspecting Nigerians, to serve as a deterrent to others.
The chairman also requested that while the trial lasts, part of the swindled funds should be given to the victims that suffered loss and trauma as a result of the fraud.
The NUJ reiterated its resolve to change the narrative of reportage from crisis to developmental communication.
According to him, the NUJ’s main focus is blue economy and tourism.
He expressed the readiness of the Council to partner the agency in the area of information dissemination.
“We believe you have a responsibility to fight financial crimes. We also know that you need the Press to publicize your activities and NUJ can provide that,” he said.
Responding, the Zonal EFFC’s boss commended the NUJ’s vision to change the narrative of reporting from crisis to developmental communication.
According to Saidu, the Western world have since imbibed such culture, hence the negative stories about them are carefully sifted to allow only positive ones to be released to the outside world.
As for the trapped funds to be released, the EFCC Zonal Director stated that only the court can authorize such action, stressing that the primary responsibility of the Commission is to arrest and prosecute.
He pledged to partner with the NUJ now that the leadership has visited the Commission.
The Head of the Legal & Prosecution Department, DCE Odiase Stephen, corroborated the Zonal Director’s position and stressed that it was only when the matter has been determined by the court that such funds can be released.
He further stated that once a matter is before a court of competent jurisdiction, it cannot be discussed outside.
By: King Onunwor
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