#EndBadGovernance: NCoS denies detaining minors in adult facility

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The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has denied reports that juvenile defendants from the recent #EndBadGovernance protests were held in adult facilities at Abuja’s Kuje Correctional Centre.

After 76 individuals were arraigned in connection with the protests, Justice Obiora Egwuatu directed that underage defendants be placed in a borstal facility, while adults were to be held in standard cells pending fulfillment of their bail terms.

However, reports soon surfaced claiming that the Kuje facility lacked borstal accommodations.

In a Saturday statement, NCoS spokesperson Umar Abubakar refuted these claims, affirming that the service strictly follows guidelines for juvenile offenders. Abubakar noted that the Nigerian Correctional Service Act of 2019 prohibits housing juveniles in adult facilities, and facility superintendents have the authority to deny new intakes if capacity is full.

He assured that, in accordance with international best practices, none of the juvenile defendants were placed in adult cells.

Abubakar urged the public to disregard any misinformation, emphasizing the NCoS’s commitment to professionalism and upholding human rights.

“There are misleading reports making the rounds in some sections of the media purporting that the suspects who were arraigned before Justice Obiora Egwuatu at the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, for treason, during the End Bad Governance protest that held in August 2024, were remanded in one of the adult custodial centres in Abuja.

“The said report has no iota of truth as the Service operates based on best correctional and global practices. To set records straight, the Nigerian Correctional Service Act 2019 has empowered the Controllers of Corrections as well as Superintendents-in-charge of Custodial Centres not to admit juveniles in facilities meant for adults. The Act also mandates the Service to reject more intake of inmates where it is apparent that the custodial facility in question is filled to capacity.

“The Service wishes to inform the public that the said suspects were rejected and none of the suspects was remanded in adult custodial facilities as insinuated by the said report,” he explained.

He further assured that the NCoS continues to uphold the United Nations Minimum Standards for the Treatment of Juvenile Offenders and would ensure the safe and appropriate accommodation of all detainees in line with these principles.

The spokesperson added, “The Service assures the public that the Nigerian Correctional Service would continue to emphasize professionalism as well as respect for human rights in line with the United Nations Minimum Standard Rules for the Treatment of Juvenile offenders.

“Furthermore, the general public is enjoined to discountenance the said report as it is not the true position of things.”

Seventy-five young protesters, reportedly between the ages of 12 and 15, were brought before the Federal High Court in Abuja by the Nigeria Police Force.

These minors, involved in the #EndBadGovernance protests, faced 10 serious charges, including terrorism, alleged attempts to overthrow the government, and mutiny.

During the hearing, some of the minors fainted before Justice Obiora Egwuatu. After reviewing their case, the judge granted bail to 67 of the 76 defendants, setting bail at ₦10 million each.

The young protesters were initially detained on August 3 and had remained in custody until their arraignment on Friday.