DIPLOMAN TIMES

The Edo State Government has assured inmates of the Oko Medium Security Custodial Centre of continued support and pledged efforts to decongest the facility and facilitate the release of deserving inmates in accordance with the law.

The Edo State Government, through the Office of the First Lady, has assured inmates of the Oko Medium Security Custodial Centre of sustained support and pledged to work toward decongesting the facility and facilitating the release of deserving inmates in line with the law, while reaffirming its zero-tolerance stance on crime and criminality.

Mrs Edesili Okpebholo Anani, Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady, said the administration maintains a zero-tolerance position on crime and criminality while also supporting the welfare, reform and rehabilitation of inmates. She said discussions had been held with correctional authorities on mechanisms for assisting inmates who had served their terms and accelerating justice processes for those awaiting trial.

Anani said she intended to take complaints raised by inmates to the governor and engage the Attorney General of the Federation regarding awaiting-trial inmates. She also expressed willingness to support the release of deserving inmates, particularly young female inmates, within the limits of the law. On education and empowerment, she said discussions had taken place with the Permanent Secretary for Education and EdoJobs regarding education, tailoring and other vocational opportunities at the custodial centre.

The coordinator also announced cash prizes for an inmates' parade competition, with ₦300,000 for first place, ₦200,000 for second place and ₦100,000 for third place, alongside an additional ₦200,000 for female inmates irrespective of their position. The Governor of Corrections, DCC Dr Egbe Anyalewechi Malvin, described the outreach as support for inmates and reiterated the correctional service's mandate to reform, rehabilitate and reintegrate them.

Representing the inmates, General Provost Owens Omende appealed for clemency for deserving inmates and highlighted challenges including water shortages, which require fuel to operate pumping equipment. He also raised the cases of elderly and long-serving inmates, including an 82-year-old man and people who have spent between 10 and 30 years in custody. The programme ended with a renewed emphasis on rehabilitation, education, skills acquisition and lawful reintegration.