Panel Reviews NCoS Compliance On Rehabilitation, Profit-sharing Laws

Magdalene Ukuedojor
Aug, Wed, 2025

Defence/Security

Panel reviews NCoS compliance on rehabilitation, profit-sharing laws

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By Ibironke Ariyo

The Independent Investigative Panel on Alleged Corruption and Other Violations Against the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has reviewed the Service’s compliance with provisions of the NCoS Act 2019, on rehabilitation, reintegration, and the management of enterprise proceeds.

Secretary of the panel, Dr Uju Agomoh, gave the summary of day three proceedings of the third public hearing on Wednesday in Abuja, noting that discussions focused on Sections 10 and 14 of the Act.

Agomoh said that on Section 10, subsections D, E, F, G and H, the provisions emphasised identifying causes of antisocial behaviour, assessing inmates’ risks and needs, and carrying out behavioural modification activities.

She said that the panel directed the NCoS to provide correctional centres state by state, the total number of facilities, the status of each workshop, and details of other activities in place to actualise Section 10, subsections D to H.

“Where these are not being met, they should indicate what needs to be done to achieve compliance.

“And if there are locations where they are being implemented, we want to know where they are,” she said.

Agomoh said that the sub-team on rehabilitation and reintegration also reviewed Section 14, which contains robust provisions on the management of enterprises and proceeds.

The panel examined Section 14(4)(a), which mandates that one-third of profits from farms and vocational industries be allocated to inmates.

She said the panel requested a centre-by-centre, state-by-state report on the applicability of the provision, the number of inmates who have benefited, adding that where it has not been implemented, reasons for the omission and what can be done to ensure compliance should be made.

Agomoh stressed that Section 14(4)(b), which required the creation of a revolving fund to sustain enterprises, must also be applied.

“The idea is that once this is in place, it will prevent situations where workshops stop functioning because funds meant to remain in them are diverted,” she said.

The panel, she added, requested detailed figures for each correctional centre on how much has been retained from enterprise proceeds for workshops.

“It also asked for timelines, explanations of challenges, and possible support to help the Service implement the provision,” she said.

Agomoh said that the panel discussed the need for innovation and incentives to recognise correctional centres that demonstrated good practices.

This, she said, were both in the number of inmates engaged in workshops and the variety of enterprises in operation.

The panel further asked for a detailed list of all workshops and farm centres, the number of participating inmates, and any trends or lessons that could be drawn from the data.

Agomoh said that the issue of aftercare services was also discussed, with the panel seeking clarification on whether they would be more effectively utilised under the non-custodial directorate established by the 2019 Act to oversee community-based activities.

She also confirmed that the panel had received a list of all inmates trained between January and July 2025, as well as the equipment distributed during that period.

“However, it requested a complete breakdown by correctional centre, type of trade or skill, and whether trade tests were conducted,” she said.

According to her, the day’s session also covered other issues connected to rehabilitation, reintegration, and post-release support, with emphasis on ensuring that legal provisions translate into practical results for the benefit of inmates and society. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Yakubu Uba

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