The Abia State Command of the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) has refuted allegations of mistreatment of inmates with disabilities in custodial centres across the state, citing safety concerns as the reason for its policy on wheelchairs and metallic clutches.
This clarification was made on Friday by the NCoS officer in charge of records at the Umuahia Correctional Centre, Chukwu Iheke, in response to claims raised by the Abia State Chairman of the Spinal Cord Injury Association of Nigeria, Prince David Onuoha.
Onuoha had alleged that members of his association housed in various custodial centres in the state were barred from using their wheelchairs and metallic clutches, a situation he said had caused them significant physical, emotional, and psychological distress.
Responding at a stakeholders’ meeting on strengthening access to justice organized by the Centre for Transparency Advocacy (CTA), Iheke dismissed the claims of mistreatment but admitted that wheelchairs and metallic objects are prohibited in correctional facilities to prevent potential violence.
“Our decision to restrict the use of wheelchairs and metallic clutches is to avoid incidents where an inmate might use a metal object to harm another during a fight,” Iheke explained.
He also highlighted the challenges faced by the NCoS in Abia, lamenting that only four out of seven operational vehicles are functional, making it difficult to transport inmates to the 54 courts under the Umuahia Correctional Centre’s jurisdiction.
“This is why we are sometimes unable to provide inmates in court as required by magistrates and judges,” Iheke added.
In efforts to alleviate overcrowding in custodial centres, Iheke said the NCoS, in collaboration with the Abia State judiciary, has been working on decongestion initiatives, which recently led to a jail delivery exercise spearheaded by the Chief Judge of Abia State, Justice Lilian Abai.
Meanwhile, the Executive Director of CTA, Faith Nwadishi, emphasized the importance of ensuring justice for all. “Efficient and equitable administration of criminal justice is central to upholding fundamental rights and justice,” she stated during the meeting.
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