By Deborah Mdima Adekaa
The Benue State Government has announced plans to support the decongestion of correctional centres across the state, improve medical care for inmates and accelerate the prosecution of pending cases.
The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Prof. Timothy Yangien Ornguga, disclosed this during a courtesy visit by the Controller of Corrections, Benue State Command, CC Lizzie Mwuese Ekpendu, to the Ministry of Justice headquarters in Makurdi.
Prof. Ornguga said the planned interventions were aimed at addressing overcrowding in custodial facilities and concerns over the health and welfare of inmates.
He noted that overcrowding in correctional centres remained a concern across the country, with inmates increasingly exposed to health challenges and diseases.
The Attorney-General also disclosed that the Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy, which he chairs, would meet regularly to consider eligible inmates for clemency in line with the law.
According to him, the council earlier this month recommended about 15 individuals to the Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, for the exercise of his constitutional powers of clemency.
He explained that the move was part of efforts to address congestion in correctional facilities while ensuring that the process complied with relevant legal provisions.
On the speedy administration of justice, Prof. Ornguga assured the delegation that the Ministry of Justice would intensify efforts to expedite the prosecution of cases to reduce delays in the justice system.
He further revealed that the ministry had initiated discussions with the leadership of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Benue State Chapter, on the possibility of organising regular medical outreach programmes for inmates.
The proposed collaboration, he said, would help address the healthcare needs of inmates in correctional centres across the state.
Earlier, CC Ekpendu expressed appreciation to the Attorney-General and the Ministry of Justice for their continued support to the Nigerian Correctional Service.
She pledged the command’s commitment to sustaining cooperation with the ministry to improve service delivery.
The Controller also commended Prof. Ornguga for his efforts towards improving inmates’ welfare, stressing that despite ongoing efforts by the Comptroller-General and the Nigerian Correctional Service to provide for inmates nationwide, additional support from individuals and organisations remained important.
She identified the Benue State Ministry of Justice as one of the institutions whose collaboration could contribute to improving conditions in correctional facilities.
CC Ekpendu was accompanied by members of the command structure of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Benue State Command.
The Attorney-General was joined at the meeting by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Mrs. D. F. Ortserga, Esq.; the Director of Civil Litigation, Deborah Ikape, Esq.; the Director of Citizens’ Rights, S. T. Sabe, Esq.; and the ministry’s Information Officer, Sunday Otse.