The Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) has officially stated that the suspects arrested during the #Endbadgovernance protest held in August 2024 were not detained in any of its adult custodial centres located in Abuja. This clarification comes amidst circulating reports suggesting otherwise, which have raised concerns among the public regarding the treatment of those arrested during the protests.
The Service Public Relations Officer (SPRO), Abubakar Umar, confirmed this information in a statement released on Saturday in Abuja, addressing the growing misinformation surrounding the arrests. His statement was aimed at dispelling the confusion created by misleading media reports that claimed the suspects had been remanded in one of the adult custodial centres in the capital city.
According to reports gathered by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the suspects who were charged with treason in relation to the #Endbadgovernance protest were arraigned on Friday before Justice Obiora Egwuatu at the Federal High Court, Abuja Division. This legal proceeding has sparked further discussions about the government's handling of the protests and the legal ramifications for those involved.
Umar stressed that the reports claiming the suspects' detention in adult facilities were unfounded and lack any basis in truth. He emphasized that โthe service operates under the best correctional and global practices,โ highlighting the commitment of the NCoS to uphold ethical standards in corrections. He reiterated that the NCoS Act 2019 grants the Controllers of Corrections and Superintendents-in-charge of Custodial Centres the authority to prevent the admission of juveniles into facilities designated for adults, ensuring that individuals are appropriately housed according to their age and status.
In addition, Umar pointed out that the Act mandates the service to decline further intake of inmates if it is evident that the custodial facility is at capacity. This policy is in place to maintain the integrity and safety of the correctional system. He firmly stated, โThe service wishes to inform the public that the said suspects were rejected and none of them were remanded in adult custodial facilities as insinuated by the said report.โ
The spokesman assured the public that the NCoS will continue to uphold professionalism and respect for human rights in line with the United Nations Minimum Standard Rules for the Treatment of Juvenile offenders. He called on the public to disregard the inaccurate reports circulating in the media, reiterating that they do not reflect the true situation regarding the treatment of the suspects arrested during the protests. This statement underscores the NCoS's commitment to transparency and accountability in its operations.