The Federal Government has called on the United Nations to aid Nigeria’s initiatives to restructure its penal system and free up its detention centers.
The call was made on Tuesday in Abuja by the Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo during his presentation at the International Donor Round Table on Correctional Service Reform organized by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, UNODC.
The Minister in a statement released on Wednesday in Abuja and signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity stated that decongesting the facilities requires the immediate attention of the government, civil society organizations, and international communities.
He said, “There is a lot to do in the area of decongesting our custodial facilities. From our audits, we have too many inmates who are awaiting trials. We also have many others who are illegally detained.
“With over 80,000 inmates, we were able to decongest by only 5% with the N585 million fines we cleared last Saturday.
“Today, we seek the support of the United Nations as there is an urgent need for government, civil society groups, and the international communities to contribute their quota to re-engineering the system.
“This is the era of Renewed Hope. We need to partner with you to see how we can leverage on your technical expertise.”
The Minister expressed disapproval of the recent trend of detention facility controllers abusing their authority, pointing out that the President’s Renewed Hope agenda calls for tough measures and the expulsion of those found guilty.
“Any controller caught taking money from a big man to lock up a poor man without a detention warrant will be expelled from the service.
“We are here to fill in the gap for the weakest in the society. We are here, as a government, to be the voice of the voiceless, and the strength of the weakest. Never again should the freedom of anybody be taken away on the basis of his weakness,” he stated.
Speaking on restoring hope to Nigerians and carrying out the government’s mandate, the Minister gave the UN team the assurance that the current administration is essential to making changes in order to gain the confidence of its people and the international community.
“Trust is something you don’t ask for – you earn it. This government wants to work to earn your trust and loyalty. We are doing things differently, and ready to deliver on the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu where Nigerians can have a better life, and brighter future,” the Minister said.
Mr. Matthias Schmale, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, praised the Minister for his decisive actions since assuming leadership of the Ministry.
“I want to commend you for the good job you are doing. I am aware of the great things you have done,” he said.
Top officials from the Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Justice, House Committee on Reformatory Institutions, UNODC, UNFPA, concerned NGOs, diplomats, and international communities—including the Italian Ambassador and representatives of the governments of Germany, Qatar, and the United States—participated in the round table, which was held at the UN House in Abuja.
Ugochi Olivia Ubah is an Educator and a Writer
