The Controller General of the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) Ja’afaru Ahmed, has explained why some high profile convicted persons are kept in the same custodial center in Kuje, saying his organisation does not determine where inmates should be kept.
Ja’afaru Ahmed also revealed that scheme between 2016 and 2019 his administration has been able to settle 2,408 retirement benefit cases, 548 medical claims and 593 death claims through Correctional Welfare Insurance Scheme (CWIS).
Among high profile persons in the said Kuje Maximum Custodial center include former governor of Taraba state, Jolly Nyame, former governor of Plateau state Joshua Dariye, former governor of Abia state Orji Kalu and the former National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Olisa Metuh, among others.
Speaking to newsmen at the NCoS’s headquarters in Abuja, Wednesday, after he declared open the 14th anniversary of the Correctional Welfare Insurance Scheme (CWIS), Ahmed explained that Kuje facility is the nearest custody to the FCT where most of the cases were determined.
“Well, you know most of the trials are taking place in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja and the nearest Prison, the custodial center that we have in Abuja is Kuje custodial center, so the warrant says Kuje custodial center, it is not for me to say go away or determine to the judge where he should commit them to custody. So, they are committed to Kuje custodial center and that how it is.
When asked whether the Controller General will suggest to the judiciary for the high profile convicted persons to have taste of other centers across the country, Ahmed said: “Well, we have our own internal way of ensuring things are done better but I will definitely look into it on how best we can manage the high profile cases.”
On the high numbers of visitors coming to see the high profile convicted persons, the NCoS boss said: “We have our rules and the rules are being obeyed and we will continue to give people opportunity for people to visit bearing in mind that most of them (convicted persons) are still going on appeals, some have exhausted their appeals to the Supreme Court and that is the end and others still have the opportunity of going on appeal. So, we will allow their lawyers and family members to come and see them, perhaps they want to interact with them.”
Speaking on the CWIS anniversary, Ahmed said is better positioned and has a renewed vigour to provide succour to serving, retired and deceased personnel, as well as their families, for their selfless service to Nigeria.
“Particularly gratifying is the fact that the scheme between 2016 and 2019 has been able to settle 2,408 (Two thousand, four hundred and eight) retirement benefits. In the same vein, 548 (Five hundred and forty-eight) medical claims and 593 (Five hundred and ninety-three) death claims were settled within the same period.
“I assure you that under my watch, CWIS will continue to grow stronger and better for our collective benefit,” Ja’afaru Ahmed stated.
