‘No jailbreak, sit-at-home in Ebonyi -Reps, Ogah

By, Uchenna Okeh, Abakaliki

The House of Representatives committee chairman on reformatory institutions, Chinedu Ogah has applauded the governor of Ebonyi State, Francis Nwifuru for assisting the correctional centres in the state to avert jail break.

Ogah, who made this known during a courtesy visit to the state governor Francis Nwifuru that took place at the old government house Abakaliki, insisted that there is no sit-at-home in the state likewise.

The Nations News Nigeriareports that the House of Representatives embarked on inspection of the Nigerian Correctional Services’ facilities across the country as part of efforts to reposition the centres.

Ogah who led other Committee members on Reformatory Institutions on inspection of correctional centres in Ebonyi state, shortly after the courtesy visit, however decried the poor condition of inmates in the state.

The Centres inspected by the committee members include; Abakaliki and Afikpo correctional centres.

The Committee also inspected an ongoing 1, 200 capacity correctional centre embarked upon by the former governor of Ebonyi State, David Umahi, and nearing 80 percent completion.

Ogah commended Ebonyi state government support and sought for more collaboration between the stakeholders and government to ensure crime free society.

He noted that the committee was working assiduously to ensure proper implementation of the Nigerian Correctional Services Act 2019 to ensure that the objectives of Nigerian Correctional Services are actualised.

“We are working hard to rebuild the centres in general, including decongestion of the various correctional centres in Nigeria.

“The most important thing is reform, reintegrate the inmates and bring them back into the society, so they cannot indulge in crime,” Ogah added.

Meanwhile, Mrs Vera Ogwude, Controller of correctional service, Ebonyi Command expressed worry over the congestion of the centres, and urged them to assist in the decongestion of the centres.

“The capacity of Abakaliki correctional center is 387 inmates but regrettably, the place is currently housing 1, 202 inmates,” Ogwude stated.