NCoS denies minors, other #EndBadGovernance protesters remanded in Abuja correctional centres

The Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) said on Saturday persons arrested during the #EndBadGovernance protest in August were not remanded in any of its adult correctional centres in Abuja.

The NCoS Public Relations Officer, Abubakar Umar, made the clarification in a statement in Abuja.

Police on Friday arraigned 114 persons arrested during the protest for alleged treason at the Federal High Court, Abuja.

Many Nigerians have condemned the decision of the police to arraign minors for taking part in the protest which took place across the country from August 1-10.

However, Umar in the statement, described as misleading reports in some sections of the media the suspects were remanded in one of the adult custodial centres in Abuja.

He said: “The service operates under the best correctional and global practices.

READ ALSO: Amnesty Inter’l slams Nigerian govt over detention of #EndBadGovernance protesters

“To set records straight, the NCoS 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.

“The service wishes to inform the public that the said suspects were rejected and none of them were remanded in adult custodial facilities as insinuated by the said report.

“The service assures the public that NCoS will continue to emphasise 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 disregard the said report because it is not the true position of things.”

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