“#Endbadgovernance Protesters Not Held in Adult Custodial Centers,” Says NCoS Spokesman

The Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) has officially stated that none of the suspects arrested during the August 2024 #Endbadgovernance protest were held in adult custodial centers in Abuja. The clarification comes after reports suggested otherwise, prompting an official response from the NCoS.

Abubakar Umar, spokesperson for the NCoS, issued a statement in Abuja on Saturday, refuting claims that the 114 protesters, who faced treason charges, were remanded in adult detention facilities. The protesters appeared in court on Friday, November 1, 2024, before Justice Obiora Egwuatu at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Umar highlighted that certain media outlets were circulating “misleading reports” regarding the detention status of the protesters, labeling these claims as unfounded. According to him, the NCoS is committed to upholding best practices and strictly adheres to the provisions set forth in the NCoS Act of 2019, which mandates separate facilities for juveniles and limits overcrowding.

“To set records straight, the NCoS Act 2019 has empowered Controllers of Corrections and Superintendents in charge of Custodial Centers not to admit juveniles in adult facilities. The Act also mandates the rejection of new inmates when facilities have reached capacity,” Umar stated.

He assured the public that the NCoS is committed to professionalism and human rights, in line with the United Nations Minimum Standard Rules for the Treatment of Juvenile Offenders.

The NCoS further urged the public to disregard the reports, emphasizing that they do not reflect the “true position of things.”