NCoS Denies Detaining Minors In Adult Facility
The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has dismissed allegations that juvenile defendants from the recent #EndBadGovernance protests were placed in adult custodial facilities at the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja.
During the proceedings, 75 young protesters, aged between 12 and 15, faced charges including terrorism and an alleged attempt to overthrow the government. Some juveniles fainted during the hearing. Following the case presentation, the judge granted bail to 67 of the minors at ₦10 million each. The group had initially been detained on August 3 and remained in custody until their arraignment last Friday.
Following the arraignment of 76 individuals connected to the protests, Justice Obiora Egwuatu instructed that juvenile defendants be housed in a borstal facility, while adults would remain in standard cells until bail requirements were fulfilled.
However, reports surfaced alleging that the Kuje facility lacked appropriate borstal accommodations.
In a statement on Saturday, NCoS spokesman Umar Abubakar clarified these claims, labeling them as misleading. He emphasized that the NCoS strictly adheres to regulations regarding the management of juvenile offenders, as dictated by the Nigerian Correctional Service Act of 2019, which prohibits holding juveniles in adult facilities.
Abubakar reassured the public that facility superintendents have the authority to refuse new admissions if their centers are at capacity. He firmly asserted that none of the juvenile defendants were placed in adult cells, aligning with global best practices.
“There are misleading reports circulating in some media outlets suggesting that suspects arraigned before Justice Obiora Egwuatu in connection with the End Bad Governance protests were remanded in adult custodial centers in Abuja. This assertion is completely unfounded. The NCoS operates in accordance with established correctional and global practices,” Abubakar stated.
He further affirmed the NCoS’s commitment to upholding the United Nations Minimum Standards for the Treatment of Juvenile Offenders, ensuring safe and appropriate accommodation for all detainees.
Abubakar urged the public to disregard the inaccurate reports, reiterating the NCoS’s dedication to professionalism and respect for human rights.
