By Austin Ogwuda
A legal lacuna has been pointed out regarding the ongoing investigation by the Federal Government over the recent scandal rocking Okere Correctional Centre, Warri, Delta State, Nigeria.
President of the Committee for the Defense of Human Rights (CDHR), Kehinde Taiga noted that although the probe panel empowered by the federal government has commenced work, but clearly stated that those condemned prisoners fingered “cannot be re-tried or re-sentenced as they have already been condemned to death”.
He blamed the past Governors of Delta State, namely, Chief James Ibori, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan and Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa including the incumbent Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for failing to sign the long list of Death Warrants across the various Correctional facilities in the State as responsible for the brazen atrocities committed by this set of inmates on death row, which the recent Benin robbery incident exposed.
Taiga who spoke exclusively in a telephone interview with Emerald News lamented how prisoners on death row freely engage in naferious activities with the aid of the prison authorities who usually turn blind eyes.
His words, “It is the responsibility of the governor to sign the death warrant before a condemned prisoner can be executed. However, governors have consistently avoided signing these execution orders. Until the governor signs it, the condemned criminal cannot be executed. That is why we often hear about a court’s verdict of death by hanging, yet these individuals are never executed.
“Since 1999, governors in Delta State have failed to sign the execution orders for those sentenced to death by hanging. These prisoners remain in jail, not because of a legal oversight, but due to the unwillingness of the governors to take action. As a result, they continue to commit crimes, even while incarcerated
“Governors”, he went on, “need to sign the death warrants and allow justice to take its course. The failure to do so has directly contributed to the violence and incidents, such as those at the Okere Correctional Centre”.
The CDHR boss also cited a troubling report of a female prison warder impregnated by a condemned prisoner, pointing out the corrupt and dangerous conditions in prisons that have worsened due to the inaction of state leaders.
Responding to reports that condemned prisoners had sneaked out of Okere prison, travelled to neighbouring Benin City, in Edo State to engage in armed robbery operations, Taiga said, “Many condemned criminals no longer have any desire to leave prison as they are living better than they would at home.
“A detailed investigation should be carried out to uncover the real issues at Okere Correctional Centre which should not be swept under the carpet. A thorough investigation must be conducted and those responsible for these breaches should face consequences. This should be a warning to others in the system”.
Continuing, the Activist noted that “Many inmates engage in cybercrime (Yahoo), raising money to pay for legal fees. There are all kinds of activities taking place inside these facilities which the authorities are turning blind eye to”, he added.
Recall that the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo has directed immediate and comprehensive investigation into allegations of criminal activities within the Okere Correctional Centre.
SA on Media and Publicity to the Minister of Interior, Babatunde Alao, in a statement last Tuesday, said that “The Minister strongly condemns the alleged reprehensible behaviour and emphasizes that any form of indiscipline and misconduct will be met with severe consequences.
“I will not allow indiscipline to fester under my nose. Any officer found wanting will face the full weight of the law. The leadership of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) must provide explanations,” Tunji-Ojo stated.
The Minister reiterated his commitment to upholding the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and accountability in the administration of justice within correctional service system.
“We take these allegations seriously and will not tolerate any form of misconduct within our correctional facilities,” he added.
The Minister called on the general public to provide any relevant information that may aid in the investigation.
*Source: Emerald News
