By TAIYE AGBAJE

A legal practitioner, Mr Bala Dakum, has asked the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) to investigate its officers at the Kuje Correctional Centre over alleged extortion of inmates and gross misconduct.

Dakum, in a petition dated Feb..11 and addressed to the Controller-General (CG) of NCoS, Sylvester Nwakuche, also urged the service to sanction erring officers.

In the acknowledged copy of the petition made available to newsmen in Abuja, the lawyer equally copied the Minister of Justice and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Mr Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, and his counterpart in the Ministry of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.

It reads: “I am a Solicitor to over 100 inmates in Kuje Correction Centre Abuja, in my capacity as a legal practitioner and concerned stakeholder in the administration of justice system, I hereby petition you.

“It is with deep sense of responsibility that I write, on behalf of my clients, to formally bring to your attention a series of grave allegations bordering on abuse of office, corruption and gross misconduct against the Controller in charge of the Kuje Correctional Centre, Abuja (name withheld) and his aides.

“The inmates, their families, and other credible sources have repeatedly alleged that the officer has used his position to facilitate a systematic extortion of inmates through his aides (names withheld).

“These acts reportedly include, but are not limited to, demands for unlawful payments in exchange for access to basic rights and privileges such as medical attention, movement within the facility, humane treatment and other services that inmates are legally entitled to without inducement.”

Dakum, the Principal Partner of B.I. Dakum & Co law firm, alleged that these acts are carried out with the knowledge, consent or tacit approval of the officer, thereby creating an environment of fear, exploitation and injustice within the facility,

“Such conducts, constitute serious violation of the Nigerian Correctional Service Act, the Public Service Rules and the constitutional rights of inmates, as well as undermines public confidence in the correctional system, safety of inmates, officers and the administration of justice as a whole.

“The situation is creating serious agitations among the inmates and unless you act fast, the situation may degenerate into chaos and the safety of the officers and inmates will be in danger.

“Given the sensitive nature of the allegations and the strategic position occupied by the officer, there is a reasonable apprehension that his continued stay in charge of the Kuje Correctional Centre, Abuja, may interfere with any impartial investigation, intimidate potential witnesses, or lead to suppression of evidence,” he said.

Dakum, therefore, demanded that “an independent and thorough investigation be instituted immediately into the allegations of extortion, abuse of office, and misconduct against the officers (subject their accounts to forensic investigations).

“That the officers be redeployed or transferred to a non-sensitive post pending the conclusion of investigations, in order to preserve the integrity of the process and ensure the safety of my clients.

“That appropriate disciplinary and legal actions be taken against the erring officers.”

The lawyer said he was compelled to write the petition in the overriding public interest and the need to protect the rights and dignity of persons in custody.

His words: “I trust in your office’s commitment to upholding the highest standards of professionalism within the Nigerian Correctional Service.

“However, in the unlikely event that no immediate action is taken, I shall not hesitate to petition other relevant law enforcement and anti-corruption agencies for proper investigation.

“I did not attach evidence of transfer of funds to the officers in issue in the interest of safety of my clients some of whom are still in their custody.”

According to him, I shall present the evidence at your request.

When contacted in a telephone interview on Thursday, the Public Relations Officer of NCoS, Ms Jane Osuji, said though she was not in receipt of the petition, she requested that a copy of it be forwarded to her.

“I will find out if we have gotten it and if anything has been done, then I will get back to you,” she said.

After some hours of her receipt of the document, another phone call was put across to Osuji.

However, in her response through a WhatsApp message, the PRO said these are allegations the NCoS CG would not take lightly.

“Thank you very much for reaching out to me on the above.

“Kindly let me revert back to you by tomorrow (Friday) on it.

“These are allegations the Controller-General does not take lightly. I need to confirm he is in receipt of the petition and bring it to his notice, please.

Thank you and good night,” Osuji responded.

But as at the time of filing the report on Friday, Osuji was yet to get back. (NAN)

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