Abia State Governor, Alex Otti has advocated for the humane treatment of inmates at various correctional facilities in Nigeria, calling for rehabilitation and reintegration of detainees.
Otti, who spoke on Saturday when he recieved the members of the House of Representatives' Committee on Reformatory Institutions led by the Committee's Chairman, Chinedu Ogah, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to rehabilitate and improve the Aba and Umuahia Correctional Centers.
He disclosed that plans for the renovation of the correctional facilities in Abia have been underway, with the designs already submitted and undergoing verification.
Governor Otti, who raised concerns about alleged encroachment on the Aba facility’s land, vowed to recover the lands to ensure that the Centre is adequately equipped for its purpose.
“We will work with the Correctional Services to decongest the centres and ensure that those held for minor offenses are released, rehabilitated, and reintegrated,” he said.
He further said that his administration on assumption of office in 2023, carried out an exercise that led to the release of numerous individuals with minor offenses, particularly those imprisoned for political reasons or minor offenses, adding that he had already directed his Special Adviser on Security to collaborate with the Controller of Correctional Services to conduct another comprehensive review.
Speaking earlier, the Chairman of the House of Representatives' Committee on Reformatory Institutions, Chinedu Ogah commended Governor Otti for his infrastructural strides and contributions towards improving Correctional facilities within the state.
Ogah said that they were in Abia State as part of the committee’s oversight functions.
