News
69% of inmates awaiting trial, says NcoS
No fewer than 57,288 persons out of 84,283 inmates across the 244 correctional centres in the country are still awaiting trial, data from the Nigerian Correctional Centre has shown.
The data revealed that 55,924 of the awaiting trial inmates are male, while 1,364 are female.
It also showed that only 26,995 (32 per cent) inmates comprising 26,530 males and 465 females have faced trials.
Speaking with Saturday PUNCH, a lawyer and founder of Headfort Foundation, Oluyemi Adetiba-Orija, said prison congestion has hindered the country’s justice system.
She remarked that police and the courts are responsible for the excessive prison congestion.
Adetiba-Orija, whose foundation provides access to justice for unjustly imprisoned inmates, noted that this congestion had made it impossible for the NCS to carry out its duty, which is to reform offenders.
She said, “This is affecting the prison system because that facility is supposed to be a rehabilitation centre. It is supposed to be a place where people are reformed and reintegrated into society. But when the prison population outweighs its capacity, it means something is wrong. The rehabilitation programme will not be done in the right way.”
To tackle this, she said the NCS must equip itself to offer non-custodial services like community and parole services.
Also, the National Public Relations Officer of the NCS, Abubakar Umar admitted that the congestion is one of the challenges facing the correctional centres in Nigeria.
“We are working round the clock with the judiciary so that we will have a speedy trial of their cases.
“Don’t forget that there are some that don’t have lawyers’ representation. So we have some NGOs that come to assist them through pro bono services so that they have lawyer representation and their cases heard adequately,” he said.
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Court fix Dec 10 to decide ex-Gov Bello’s bail
By Francesca Hangeior
The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory sitting at Maitama on Wednesday remanded the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, in custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
Trial Justice Maryann Anenih ordered that he should remain with the anti-graft agency till December 10, when the court will rule on his application for bail.
Equally remanded in custody were Bello’s two co-defendants, Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu.
The defendants had pleaded not guilty to a 16-count charge the EFCC preferred against them.
EFCC had specifically urged the court to deny the former governor bail.
The agency, through its team of lawyers led by Mr. Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, told the court that Bello, who is the 1st defendant in the matter, repeatedly refused to make himself available for trial.
It told the court that several efforts to secure his presence before the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, where he is facing another charge, proved abortive.
Consequently, the Commission opposed a bail application that Bello filed through his legal team that was led by a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Mr. Joseph Daudu, SAN.
Daudu, SAN, had after the former governor and his two co-defendants—Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu—pleaded not guilty to a 16-count charge the anti-graft agency preferred against them, drew the attention of the court to a bail application his client filed on November 22.
In the application he predicated on six grounds, the former governor argued that he enjoys the presumption of innocence under the law.
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Port Harcourt Refinery operations will tackle fuel scarcity – Reps
By Francesca Hangeior
The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Resources (Midstream), Hon. Prince Henry Odianosen Okojie, has emphasized the significant impact of the Port Harcourt refinery’s commencement of operations, describing it as a major step towards resolving fuel scarcity in Nigeria and improving the lives of its citizens.
Hon. Okojie commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, for their commitment and efforts in actualizing the project. Speaking with journalists in Abuja, he stated:
“We are thrilled to express our appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Group Chief Executive Officer of the NNPCL, Mele Kyari, for their tireless efforts in ensuring the Port Harcourt Refinery commences production.
We are grateful to them for making this project a reality. This monumental achievement marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s journey towards energy independence and economic growth. Their contributions to Nigeria’s energy sector will have a lasting impact on the country’s economic development.*
“We commend President Tinubu’s leadership and vision, as well as Mele Kyari’s dedication and expertise, in driving this transformative project forward. Their commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s refining capabilities is truly commendable. This is a testament to the hard work and collaboration of all stakeholders involved.”
Representing Esan North East/Esan South East Federal Constituency of Edo State, Hon. Okojie pledged his commitment to fostering the growth of Nigeria’s petroleum industry. He assured that legislators are determined to tackle challenges in the sector for the nation’s benefit and citizens’ welfare.
Backing President Tinubu’s policies for the development of the oil and gas sector, Hon. Okojie expressed confidence in the administration’s plans for economic prosperity and infrastructure development. He also assured that the House Committee would continue to provide the legislative support necessary to advance the sector.
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