News
NCS approves Niger Custodial Centre to admit suspects amid COVID-19 pandemic
As a result of coronavirus pandemic across the globe, the authority of the Nigeria Correctional Services (NCS) has approved two Correctional Centres in Niger State to admit suspects.
The State Comptroller of the Service in the state Alh. Ibrahim Labbo Maradun has disclosed.
He said the suspects to be admitted at Correctional Centres will be monitored at the isolation facility at the centre before being taken to the custodial facility to avoid the outbreak of the Covid 19.
The two Correctional Centres approved by the Comptroller General of the Service, Alh. Ja’afaru Ahmed, according to the State Comptroller are the Minna medium security Correctional Centre in Tunga, and Bida Correctional Centre in Dokodhza.
Speaking in an interview with CAPITAL POST shortly after a closed door meeting with the Chief Judge of Niger State in his office, Thursday, Alhaji Ibrahim Labbo explained that the decision to admit suspects was the outcome of the meeting of State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in 36 States and the Attorney General of the federation and minister of Justice Abubakar Mallami as well as stakeholders in the criminal Justice system in the country.
He disclosed that since outbreak of the Covid 19 in the country, the Comptroller General has issued a directive to all the Comptroller of the Service across the country not to admit any suspects from courts, but those inmates on awaiting trial can be released on court order.
He said: “No new suspects will be admitted in any of our custodial centres across the country due to the Covid 19 pandemic.
“We can only release those on awaiting trial on the order of court that brought them on custody”
“The Service may approve some other custodial centres in the state if the need arises through the directive of the Comptroller General”, stressing that
for now, two of the correctional Centres in Minna and Bida were approved by the Comptroller General.”
However, CAPITAL POST findings revealed that since the out break of Covid 19 pandemic in the country, the authority of the Correctional Service has ordered the various State commands not to admit suspects from courts across the country to avoid any possible contact of the pandemic by those inmates already in the custodial Centres.
“As a result of the directives of the Comptroller General, men of the State Criminal Investigation Department ( SCID), of the Niger State Police Command kept suspects in their custody on court orders.
“Already, police formations across the state is filled with suspected criminals in their detention facilities without taking them to court for prosecution.
“Most of the suspects in SCID and police cells across the state, were those of capital offences of armed robbery, armed bandits, culpable homicide, rape, among other heinous crimes that were kept on court order pending when courts will resume sittings.
“Only two Chief Magistrate courts are allowed to preside over cases on the instructions of the chief Judge of the State, Justice Aliyu Mohammed Mayaki.
“Most of the Magistrate and Shari’a Courts in Niger State are closed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio has commended Senator Basheer Lado, for redefining the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters, stating that, for the first time in a long while, the office is fully meeting its expectations.
Speaking during his visit to the office of the Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters accompanied by distinguished senators, Akpabio described the visit as a significant step in strengthening Executive-Legislative relations.
He praised the Special Adviser and his team for maintaining the confidentiality of communications between the President and Senate, and also, ensuring a seamless flow of information. He further emphasized that the office is now more result-oriented.
Additionally, he acknowledged the office’s diligent efforts in tracking all Bills passed by the Senate and assented to by the President, underscoring its critical role in legislative efficiency.
Expressing his satisfaction, Akpabio noted that he and the Senate delegation were proud of the office’s achievements and looked forward to sustaining the existing cordial and productive relationship between the Executive and the Legislature throughout the administration.
In recognition of his exemplary leadership, Senator Lado presented an Award of Excellence to Senator Akpabio.
In his remarks, Senator Lado reaffirmed his commitment to fostering a harmonious working relationship between the Executive and the Legislature. He lauded Akpabio for his unwavering dedication to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda—defending it with clarity, articulating it with passion, and advancing it through legislative action.
Ahead of the 2025 political party Congresses, Plateau State Chapter of the Labour Party (LP) stakeholders has endorsed the defection of the candidate of the party in the 2023 general elections and the leader of Justice and Rebirth, Barr Gyang Zi SAN, to the All Progressive Congress (APC) with the view to key into the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
They made the call in a communique issued at the end of the enlarge meeting of the stakeholders from Plateau North senatorial zone at the residence of Barr. Gyang Zi in Rayfield Jos.
The communique which was jointly signed by Dr. Ayiki Sati Director General, Justice and Rebirth and
Barr. Samuel Galadima- 2024 Chairmanship candidate of Jos East LGA among others said the call became imperative on the sideline of the leadership tussle at the National Level which violates the core principles and values for the formation of the Party as an alternative for Nigeria for the protection, sustenance of democracy and Social Justice.
They regretted that the leadership tussle has also divided the party into factions leaving party loyalists and supporters in the state of despondency and confusion not knowing where they belong.
Our correspondent reports that the gathering included LP candidates from the 2023/2024 general elections, party executives, and support groups from the six local government areas of the Northern Senatorial District.
Besides, the focus of the discussions was centered on the state of the Labour Party at both national and state levels and the need for political realignment ahead of the 2025 party congresses and conventions.
The stakeholders further frowned at the structural weaknesses in LP and resolved to advise Barr Gyang Zi, to leave the party and join the APC while expressing confidence that the APC would provide him with a platform to advance good governance in the state .
The communique also emphasized the importance of political consultations, particularly with APC leaders at both state and national levels. It called for collaboration with Plateau State APC leaders, including Minister of Humanitarian Affairs Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda Goshwe, Sen. Simon Bako Lalong, Sen. Diket Plang, and other party officials.
According to the communique, supporters of Barr Gyang Zi also pledged to mobilize grassroots support for the APC, stating that their leader’s defection would strengthen the party in the state.
They urged the APC leadership to formally receive Gyang Zi and his supporters into the party, marking their official transition from the Labour Party.
Stakeholders also reiterated the need for inclusive governance, ensuring that youths, women, and less privileged individuals are sidelined in the democratic process and accordingly officially denounced their membership in the Labour Party, declaring their support for the APC.
They assured that all LP structures aligned with Gyang Zi would follow suit, shifting their loyalty to the ruling party in the state and at the National level.
Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has extended his heartfelt felicitation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, on the occasion of his 73rd birthday.
Governor Ododo in statement signed by his special adviser on media, Ismaila Isah described President Tinubu as a statesman whose leadership and dedication to national development continue to inspire hope and progress across Nigeria.
He commended the President’s unwavering commitment to the Renewed Hope Agenda, which is driving economic reforms, strengthening national unity, and advancing the nation’s democratic values.
“On behalf of the government and people of Kogi State, I celebrate Mr President and our father on this special day. Your resilience, visionary leadership, and patriotism have laid a strong foundation for Nigeria’s growth. We deeply appreciate your tireless efforts in repositioning our country for sustainable development,” Governor Ododo stated.
He further reaffirmed his support for President Tinubu’s administration and prayed for continued wisdom, strength, and good health for the President as he leads Nigeria toward greater prosperity, sustainable development, peace and stability.
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