The acting chief judge of Kogi state, Justice Henry Olusiyi, has called on parents and guardians to train their children and wards according to culture and religion.
Justice Olusiyi, who made the call on Friday at Kabba and Okene correctional centres during his visit aimed at decongesting the centres, observed that most of the inmates awaiting trial were in their twenties.
He said, “What attributed to this is parental failure. The youth are the future leaders of the country and it is worrisome to see young persons in correctional centres for one criminal offence or the other. Therefore, parents and the society need to play their roles in ensuring that these young boys do not commit crimes that can lead to them being jailed.
“Aside from the lack of skills acquisition workshops, most of the centres lack infrastructure that can give the inmates the required reformation. There is a need for skills acquisition workshops in each of the correctional centre so that before the inmates complete their jail term they can acquaint themselves with skills that will enable them to fit into the society.
“Correctional centres are supposed to be reformation centres where inmates are expected to come out reformed in character and behaviour as well as having a handiwork that will enable him or her to fend for themselves.”
Blueprint reports that at the Kabba Correctional Centre where inmates meant for Koton-Karfe facility are kept as a result of the 2019 flood disaster, Justice Olusiyi directed the release of Abdullahi Usman, who was diagnosed with diabetes and scabies.
Another suspect, Zakariyahu Abdullahi, who has been in custody since May 2020 for alleged trespass, shop-breaking and theft, was also released by Justice Olusiyi after being remanded at Koton Karfe Correctional Centre without trial.
Similarly, Sayo Joseph, who was arrested for criminal conspiracy, armed robbery and kidnapping, was released as Justice Olusiyi said the accused has no prima facie case to answer.
