12.8.2025
The Federal Government has given the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) a four-week deadline to address cases of abuse, illegal detention of minors, and other lapses in juvenile custodial centres across the country.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Dr Magdalene Ajani, issued the directive during the third public hearing of the Independent Investigative Panel on Alleged Corruption and Other Violations Against the NCoS.
Ajani, who chaired the panel, expressed concern over the mingling of juveniles with adult inmates, poor welfare conditions, and systemic administrative failures in the correctional system.
“You are going to send to the ministry the status report of all the borstal centres that have been completed or not; requisites or not.”
Ajani also questioned the legal basis for admitting minors without due process, noting that some had never been taken to court.
She ordered the immediate removal of all adults from facilities designated for juveniles, stressing that the panel’s goal was to reform the system and protect inmate dignity.
“You have explained how children are admitted into borstal centres and that correctional service officers are present at those facilities.
“But when warrants are presented, we cannot trace where they originate. Now we are hearing that some of these children were never even taken to court.
“So, where exactly are these warrants coming from?
“Are security agencies issuing them? And if so, do they have the authority to commit children to foster centres without any court involvement?,” she asked.
Turning to the care of children born to incarcerated women, Ajani questioned whether the necessary budgetary provisions were being made.
“You must put things right into your appropriation and make a proper budget. Please do what you are supposed to do. And do not think it’s the Ministry who will push it through.
“Those who are not meant to be there should be moved out immediately. Report back to the ministry within four weeks, with evidence of compliance.
“Four weeks is enough for you to sort out the problem, whatever it is. Four weeks,” she emphasised. NAN