By Ibironke Ariyo

The Independent Investigative Panel on Alleged Corruption and Other Human Rights Violations in the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has called for a comprehensive overhaul of Nigeria’s non-custodial justice system,

On the fourth day of a public hearing in Abuja, the panel examined the gaps in alternatives to imprisonment such as fines, compensation, community service, probation and parole.

Dr Uju Agomoh, the Secretary of the panel, in her summary of the day’s proceedings in Abuja, said that the NCoS must improve the application of non-custodial measures to ease overcrowding in correctional centres.

She said that one critical issue was the plight of inmates given the option of fines or compensation but unable to pay.

The panel, she noted, had asked the NCoS to submit comprehensive data on inmates released through the intervention of the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, including the total amount spent and the number of beneficiaries.

According to records before the panel, in December 2023, the Minister of Interior secured the release of 4,086 inmates by raising N585 million.

This, she said, were through private contributions to pay fines and compensation for low-risk offenders.

“The panel commended the move but requested detailed breakdowns by custodial centres and states.

“The panel also directed the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria to provide records of fines paid on behalf of inmates over the years.

“The panel urged collaboration with stakeholders, including the Nigerian Bar Association’s Section on Public Interest and Development Law (SPIDEL), to ensure efficient fine administration,” she said.

Agomoh, however, expressed concern that inmates often served months in custody for unpaid fines as low as N10,000 or N30,000, at a greater cost to the government.

She called for a comprehensive review of the fine system, alongside the establishment of a Victim Compensation Fund to address unresolved compensation payments preventing eligible inmates’ release.

“The panel also queried the implementation of Section 37(1) of the NCoS Act, 2019, which provides for non-custodial measures.

“The panel has directed the NCoS to submit state-by-state statistics on community service, probation, parole and related interventions.

“On funding, the panel questioned the lack of budgetary allocation for non-custodial services despite legal backing.

“The panel has requested the NCoS to provide budget records from 2019 to date, including instances when such requests were denied or excluded,” she said.

Agomoh said that the panel had demanded updated staffing records for the Non-Custodial Directorate.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the NCoS disclosed having 1,563 officers in the directorate, disparities were noted, such as Kebbi State with 131 officers and Imo State with only seven.

The panel further called for detailed deployment data across the 774 local government areas and recruitment plans.

“In addition, the NCoS was asked to submit its strategic plan on facilities, training, operational manuals and resource allocation.

“The panel acknowledged the role of academic partnerships, such as social science interns engaged in Anambra State, but stressed the need for proper training and oversight.

International and local civil society groups, including UNICEF, United Action Against Corruption and Injustice International, and Prison Fellowship, were recognised for their submissions and recommendations, which the panel promised to review.

In her closing remark, Dr Magdalene Ajani, Chairperson of the Panel and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Interior, thanked all stakeholders, the media, and Nigerians following the proceedings online.

Ajani announced that a closed-door session would be held on Friday, Aug. 15, by invitation only, and urged stakeholders to submit any final documents beforehand.

“I want to especially thank every institution present, the media for live coverage, and Nigerians watching online. If there is more information to share, please send it to the Secretariat.

“As investigation continues, the panel reiterated that non-custodial measures remain a vital but underutilised means of easing congestion in correctional centres and promoting a more humane justice system,” she maintained. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza