The Controller General of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS),Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche, has stated that facilitating the process of fast tracking fair hearing for awaiting trial inmates is a top burner on his agenda.
Nwakuche stated this while playing host to the Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Chief Prof. Tony Ojukwu, SAN and the Director-General of the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, Aliyu P Abubakar Esq, who paid a courtesy visit to him at the Service Headquarters in Abuja.
The visit, according to a statement on Wednesday, described by all parties as both strategic and symbolic, aimed to strengthen collaboration on human rights protection, access to justice, and the welfare of inmates in custodial facilities across the country.
In his welcome remarks, the Controller General expressed appreciation for the visit, noted that the engagement was long overdue as it reflects a shared commitment to upholding the rights and dignity of persons in custody.
Responding, Prof. Ojukwu commended the strides made by the Nigerian Correctional Service in advancing human rights standards in custodial centres.
While emphasizing that the three institutions were set up to intentionally complement each other, he stated the need for continuous monitoring, training, and policy reforms to ensure that custodial facilities align with international best practices, and made requests to aid smooth implementation of the mandates of the institutions involved in the tripartite relationship.
Key among the requests is the need to establish a Correctional Service, Legal Aid Council, Human Rights Quarterly Dialogue for ease of service delivery.
Also speaking, the Director-General of the Legal Aid Council, Aliyu Abubakar, reiterated the Council’s dedication to providing legal representation for indigent inmates, many of whom remain in custody due to lack of access to justice in order to contribute their quota towards closing the wide gap between the awaiting trial and convicted inmates.
The visit concluded with exchange of plaques, group photographs, a renewed commitment to joint initiatives and training programs.
“The engagement underscores the importance of synergy in the justice sector and strengthening of systems to fast-track legal aid and human rights interventions within the correctional system”, the NCoS said.
