FG Presents Correctional Service Probe Report, Reaffirms Commitment to Reform
FG Presents Correctional Service Probe Report, Reaffirms Commitment to Reform
FG Presents Correctional Service Probe Report, Reaffirms Commitment to Reform
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, accountability, and institutional reform with the formal presentation of the report of the Independent Investigative Panel on alleged misconduct within the Nigerian Correctional Service.
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The report was unveiled during a high-level stakeholders’ engagement convened by the Ministry of Interior, bringing together representatives from government, the justice sector, security agencies, civil society organisations, and development partners.
Speaking at the event, the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, said the panel was established to conduct a thorough and honest assessment of the system, rather than a superficial review. He noted that the panel, inaugurated on November 24, 2024, completed its assignment after 16 months of extensive investigation and stakeholder consultations.
“The work of this panel represents a significant step toward strengthening transparency, accountability, and institutional integrity within our correctional system,” he said, adding that confronting challenges directly is key to achieving lasting reform.
The investigation followed serious allegations of corruption, abuse of authority, and human rights violations within correctional facilities, highlighting the need to align operations with principles of justice, professionalism, and respect for human dignity.
Tunji-Ojo stressed that correctional centres must evolve beyond custodial roles to become institutions focused on rehabilitation, reintegration, and societal transformation.
Also speaking, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi, described the exercise as a milestone in strengthening public trust and accountability within Nigeria’s justice system.
He reiterated the government’s commitment to protecting human rights through stronger institutional frameworks, noting the role of the National Human Rights Commission and existing legal instruments in promoting oversight and compliance.
In her remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior and Chairperson of the panel, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, said the engagement provided a platform for dialogue and collective ownership of reform outcomes, adding that the panel’s work was guided by fairness, independence, and public interest.
Stakeholders, including the Nigerian Bar Association, the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, and the United Nations Children’s Fund, emphasised the need for the report to drive concrete and measurable reforms.
Participants identified key challenges such as overcrowding, prolonged pre-trial detention, and gaps in implementation of legal frameworks, calling for expanded non-custodial measures, improved access to justice, stronger oversight mechanisms, and better welfare for correctional personnel.
The Federal Government urged all stakeholders to support the reform process, with a shared goal of building a correctional system that is humane, efficient, and aligned with both national priorities and international human rights standards.
FG Presents Correctional Service Probe Report, Reaffirms Commitment to Reform
