The Controller General of Corrections, Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Ja’afaru Ahmed, has explained the rationale behind keeping many high-profile convicts at the Kuje Custodial Centre in Abuja.
Some high-profile inmates at the correctional facility are former Taraba State governor, Jolly Nyame; former Plateau State governor, Joshua Dariye and former Abia State governor, Orji Uzor Kalu.
Former National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olisa Metuh joined them this week.
According to Ahmed, the high-profile inmates were committed to Kuje by most courts because it is the nearest custody to the FCT where most of the cases were determined.
He stated this in Abuja on Wednesday shortly after declaring open the 14th anniversary workshop of the Correctional Welfare Insurance Scheme (CWIS).
“You know most of the trials are taking place in Abuja and the nearest custodial centre that we have in Abuja is Kuje custodial centre.
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“The warrant says Kuje custodial centre and it’s not for me to say ‘go away’ and determine to the judge where he should commit them to custody. They are committed to Kuje custodial centre and that’s how it is,” Daily Trust quoted Ahmed as saying.
On the number of visitors being received by the high-profile inmates, the CG said, “We have our rules and the rules are being obeyed and we will continue to give people opportunity for people to visit bearing in mind that most of them (convicted persons) are still going on appeals, some have exhausted their appeals to the Supreme Court and that is the end and others still have the opportunity of going on appeal. So, we will allow their lawyers and family members to come and see them, perhaps they want to interact with them.
“But their interaction will be conducted within the rule. the Nigerian Correctional Service has its own standing orders and every of its correctional officer knows the procedure of conducting visit for both convicts and awaiting trial.”
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