The Independent Investigative Panel on alleged corruption and human rights violations within the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has issued a stern warning to officers, urging them to adhere strictly to established rules and regulations.
Speaking during the panel’s second public hearing in Abuja on Thursday, the Chairperson, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, declared that the era of impunity within the NCoS is over. The hearing uncovered widespread corruption, nepotism, and a blatant disregard for rules, painting a troubling picture of the state of the correctional system.
Investigations revealed that some officers have formed inappropriate relationships with inmates, tolerating misconduct in exchange for personal benefits. This has fostered a culture of impunity, where inmates feel emboldened to flout rules without consequence.
The panel also found evidence of special treatment for certain inmates, with officers allegedly using their offices for private meetings involving inmates’ girlfriends and wives. These practices have raised serious concerns about fairness, equity, and the potential for abuse of power within the system.
Dr. Ajani expressed particular concern over the retention of a notorious officer at a specific correctional center, despite repeated misconduct. She questioned the rationale behind such decisions, stressing that officers who fail to uphold the highest standards of integrity and professionalism have no place in the NCoS.
“Go back and clean your house. Please go back and sin no more. Work in line with the extant rules,” she charged. “There is a lot going on in the custodial centers that is contrary to the standing orders and guidelines.”
Dr. Ajani emphasized that the panel would not hesitate to recommend disciplinary actions, including dismissal and prosecution, against officers found culpable of misconduct. She urged officers to reset their attitudes and comply with the rules, warning that those who aid or abet malpractices would face severe consequences.
“Tell your officers-in-charge that you have been directed to work in line with the extant rules. Fish out those involved in these malpractices to save yourselves,” she concluded.
The panel’s findings underscore the urgent need for reform within the NCoS to restore integrity, fairness, and professionalism in the treatment of inmates and the management of correctional facilities.
