By Ibironke Ariyo
Media and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) are crucial in driving reforms in Nigeria’s correctional centres, an independent investigative panel scribe has said.
Dr. Uju Agomoh, the Secretary of the Independent Investigative Panel of Alleged Corruption, Abuse of Power, Torture, Cruel Inhumane and Degrading Treatments against Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), stated this during the second public hearing of the panel with the media and CSOs in Abuja on Tuesday.
According to her, the media and CSOs are vital change agents and pressure groups that can ensure lasting reforms.
Agomoh, who doubles as the Founder of the Prisoners’ Rehabilitation and Welfare Action (PRAWA), said that the media was a very important partner in ensuring the sustainability of reforms in the nation’s correctional centers.
This, she said, was the reason behind letting the media make recommendations to the panel.
She added that the media was part of the CSOs working to end corruption, inhumane treatment, and all forms of abuse allegations against the correctional system in Nigeria.
“As part of the panel’s work, we have a daily briefing with the media because if we want reforms, we must ensure that the frequency and the quality of reportage on issues being discussed on correctional reforms are well presented.
“This is also because the only time the policy makers will take correctional service reforms very serious is when they get the right information.
“This doesn’t come easy but it can be achieved through coordinated media reportage.
“This is a golden opportunity for the NCoS and Nigerians to understand these issues affecting the agency and the panel is open to hear inputs from everyone,” she said.
Responding to issues on the lack of access to correctional centres by journalists for ‘on the site’ reports or eyewitnesses, Agomoh explained that the custodial facilities have always been restricted.
She said this also included CSOs, adding that years of advocacy had opened up a little space in terms of access to such facilities.
“I quite understand how challenging it is to be allowed into a custodial centre because PRAWA’s very first audiovisual, titled ‘Echoes from Prisons’, was shot inside the correctional facility.
“Subsequently, we tried to organize some kind of training in partnership with the NCoS for 52 journalists from 51 media houses.
“It was part of this training that some journalists for the first time went into the facilities.
“So, it is a very good synergy between the media and NCoS to advance the partnership, “the panel secretary said.
She said that some CSOs raised concerns over allegations that correctional officers were not giving inmates donations made for their upkeep.
These, she said, were in the forms of food, medical supplies, and toiletries donated for their use, alleging further that they took them for personal use.
“CSOs have emphasised the need for a reliable database to track all interventions, including donations, made to correctional facilities.
“This database would promote transparency and acknowledge the efforts of supporters, encouraging them to continue their contributions,’’ she said.
Earlier, Acting Controller-General (ACG) of NCoS, Mr Sylvester Nwakuche, maintained that CSOs and media were critical partners of the service.
Nwakuche, who was represented by Assistant Controller General (ACG) Ibrahim Idris, described CSOs and Media as change agents who often spoke on germane issues concerning the NCoS.
“This is because the officers as civil servants may not be able to take on the government on certain issues.
“These set of organisations, the media, NGOs and CSOs, are our lifelines. Our partnerships and collaborations with them cannot be underestimated.
“While we are not overruling the existence of ‘bad eggs’ in the service, donations made to inmates are handed over to the inmates,” he said.
Additionally, other key areas of focus were highlighted, including the vital role of academia in enhancing the service’s capabilities.
Media, CSOs crucial to Nigeria’s correctional centres’ reforms – Agomoh
