Abuja: The Independent Investigative Panel on Alleged Corruption and Other Violations Against the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has conducted a review of the Service’s adherence to the NCoS Act 2019, focusing on rehabilitation, reintegration, and the management of enterprise proceeds.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Dr. Uju Agomoh, the Secretary of the panel, provided a summary of the third day of proceedings during the third public hearing in Abuja. The discussions centered on Sections 10 and 14 of the Act. Agomoh highlighted that Section 10, subsections D, E, F, G, and H, emphasize identifying the causes of antisocial behavior, assessing inmates’ risks and needs, and implementing behavioral modification activities.
The panel instructed the NCoS to submit details of correctional centers state by state, including the total number of facilities, the status of each workshop, and other activities related to implementing Section 10, subsections D to H. For areas where compliance is lacking, the panel requested indications of needed actions for improvement and locations where compliance is achieved.
Agomoh explained that the sub-team on rehabilitation and reintegration also assessed Section 14, which outlines management procedures for enterprises and their profits. The panel reviewed Section 14(4)(a), which mandates allocating one-third of profits from farms and vocational industries to inmates. The panel sought a comprehensive report detailing the applicability of this provision at each center, the number of beneficiaries, and reasons for non-implementation where applicable, along with suggestions for ensuring compliance.
Section 14(4)(b), requiring the establishment of a revolving fund to sustain enterprises, was also emphasized. Agomoh stated that this fund is intended to prevent the cessation of workshops due to the diversion of funds meant for their operations. The panel requested detailed figures for each correctional center on retained enterprise proceeds for workshops, along with timelines, explanations of challenges, and potential support needed for implementation.
The panel discussed the necessity of innovation and incentives to acknowledge correctional centers exhibiting good practices, both in terms of inmate engagement in workshops and the diversity of enterprises operating. The panel called for a detailed list of all workshops and farm centers, the number of participating inmates, and any trends or lessons that could be derived from the data.
Agomoh mentioned that the panel also addressed the issue of aftercare services, seeking clarification on their effective utilization under the non-custodial directorate established by the 2019 Act to oversee community-based activities. Furthermore, the panel received a list of inmates trained between January and July 2025, as well as equipment distributed during that period, but requested a complete breakdown by correctional center, type of trade or skill, and whether trade tests were conducted.