The Kano State Commissioner of Police, Usaini Gumel, has lamented the poor state of correctional centres in the state, News About Nigeria reports.
While speaking during the Law Week of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Kano State branch, with the theme “Turning Point” on Monday in Kano, he noted that over 400 detainees were languishing in the Central Correctional Centre, Kurmawa, in the state.
He lamented that most of the detainees in the centre have no case files, adding that some of them have untraced court case records, absence of a case diary, non-issuance of legal advice, as well as prolonged criminal trials without bail, among other issues.
“There is generally a lack of effective coordination among key stakeholders, especially correctional facilities and legal aid services, leading to gaps in service delivery and support.
“There is a lack of basic facilities such as healthcare, routine hygiene, staff offices, and schools at the Remand Home, Goron Dutse, Kano,” he stated.
Gumel further stated that there is a shortage of legal professionals and support staff to provide pro bono legal services to the large number of arrested and/or detained individuals and members of the force.
He noted that, as a result of this deplorable condition, the State Command launched a Steering Committee to facilitate the implementation of the innovative provisions contained in the Police Duty Solicitors Scheme Document.
He added that the committee, which consists of criminal justice professionals, has visited correctional facilities and held constructive discussions with stakeholders to obtain useful information on the way forward.
