PRESS RELEASE
NBA AFIKPO BRANCH CALLS FOR DISCREET INVESTIGATION.
The Nigerian Bar Association, Afikpo Branch expresses concerns over the trending news of an inmate Ibuchi Okoro Eze, from the Nigerian Correctional Service Center, Afikpo who was sneaked out of the facility for an alleged visit to his lover.
The Nigerian Correctional Service is statutorily bound to take lawful custody of all within her confines in line with the Nigeria Correctional Service Act, 2019.
We maintain strongly that as much as the rights of an inmate (s) are sacrosanct just like other citizens of Nigeria as guaranteed by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999; the fact still remains that inmates are convicted for a particular crime and that makes their rights subservient to a more thorough scrutiny than the normal citizen.
As such, there is a further need to safeguard the society from further harm or re-occurrence of such offence until such a person has been purged of all wrongdoing vis-a-vis confinement as the correctional centre for rehabilitation/correctional purposes.
It is therefore becomes disheartening to hear that the alleged Correctional Officers who ought to be in legal custody of a sexual offender is allegedly encouraging the perpetration of a similar act while being under their confines.
We therefore call on the Nigerian Correctional Service to manifestly investigate all officers involved in this incidence and satisfy the curiosity of members of the general public.
As a concerned Association, the Nigerian Bar Association, Afikpo Branch reassures and reiterates to the public of her commitment to ‘Promote and protect the principles of the Rule of Law and respect for Human Rights’ in the society; thus everyone must be held accountable for their actions in the discharge of their duties to the State and to humanity as well.
On the other hand, we appreciate the immediate response of the Civil Defence, Correctional Fire and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB) for the urgent step taken as we still anticipate a thorough and unbiased outcome of the investigation.
The Afikpo Branch of NBA shall appoint her eminent members of the Branch to also monitor this situation and ensure that due process is followed to the letter.
Best regards.
Signed;
•Eberechukwu E. Omezue-Nnali (Mrs)
Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association, Afikpo Branch.
