The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has addressed and refuted allegations made by a whistleblowing group regarding the detention of a high-ranking Army general, emphasizing the legality of his incarceration.
The controversy stems from claims by the George Uboh Whistleblowers Network, a civil society organisation, which wrote to the Controller-General of the NCoS, Haliru Nababa, on June 10, 2024.
The group demanded the release of Maj. Gen. Umaru Mohammed, a former Group Managing Director and Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Army Properties Limited, from Kuje Prison, alleging that he was detained without a valid warrant.
In response, the NCoS clarified the circumstances surrounding Maj. Gen. Mohammed’s detention.
Adamu Duza, the spokesperson for the Federal Capital Territory Command of the Service, issued a statement on Tuesday confirming that the general was detained legally following a warrant issued by a military court martial.
“The Command wishes to state unequivocally that the Service is a responsible security agency set up by the laws of the federation, with the mandate of keeping the legally interned,” Duza stated.
He emphasized that the Nigerian Correctional Service only admits individuals who are legally interned by a competent court of law or a military court martial.
Duza continued, “In the case of the said General, he was legally detained by a military court martial, with a valid warrant.”
He criticized the whistleblowing group for spreading misinformation and not understanding the criminal justice process.
“It is rather unfortunate for the said group, acting without knowledge of how the system works, to feed the public with false information borne out of crass ignorance,” he remarked.
Duza condemned the group’s call for the release of Maj. Gen. Mohammed, calling it an “aberration to the criminal justice process.”
He reassured the public that the NCoS remains committed to the safe and humane custody of all individuals legally committed to its care, urging the public to disregard the misinformation propagated by the whistleblowing group.
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