17 Edo Offenders Complete Community Service As NCoS Expands Non-Custodial Sentencing
By Anne Osemekeh, Abuja
The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Edo State Command, has successfully supervised 17 convicted offenders serving community service sentences in place of imprisonment under the non-custodial sentencing provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act/Law (ACJA/L) and the Nigerian Correctional Service Act, 2019.
The Command’s PRO, Aminu Suleman said on Saturday that the offenders, comprising 14 men and three women, completed their court-ordered community service during May and June 2026 under the close supervision of Correctional Non-Custodial Officers.
According to him, the offenders carried out community service at designated locations, including the Government Reservation Area (GRA), court premises and other approved public places. The sentences ranged from one to 10 days, with offenders serving between one and two hours daily depending on the nature of their offences.
The NCoS said the implementation of non-custodial measures demonstrates the effective enforcement of existing legal provisions that allow persons convicted of minor offences to serve community-based sentences instead of jail terms.
It explained that the initiative is designed to decongest correctional centres, promote the rehabilitation and reintegration of offenders, and deter others from committing similar offences.
Speaking on the development, the Controller of Corrections, Edo State Command, CCS Orhunmwonkpawan Igbinogun Julius Osemwegie, reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to the effective implementation of both custodial and non-custodial correctional measures across the state.
He pledged sustained collaboration with the judiciary, security agencies, relevant stakeholders and members of the public to ensure court orders are faithfully executed and offenders are responsibly reintegrated into society.
“The Service is poised to contribute to a secure, safe and crime-free society through the effective implementation of correctional measures. The support of government at all levels and well-meaning members of the public is critical, as matters of security and safety are everybody’s business,” he said.
