By Mohammed Bello Doka
In a startling revelation, the Vanguard For Truth Foundation, a civic organization, has exposed a distressing reality in Nigeria's custodial centers. According to their investigation, inmates are being provided a mere N200 daily for sustenance, a fraction of the allocated N750 by the government.
The foundation's statement, issued on Thursday, denounces the pervasive corruption within the Nigerian Correctional Service. It sheds light on the involvement of various middlemen who exploit the system for personal gain, diverting funds meant for inmates.
Earlier reports by SaharaReporters on December 7 had already highlighted the stark contrast in budget priorities. The NCoS admitted to spending N800 daily on each canine member, while a human inmate received only N750 for their daily sustenance.
Haliru Nababa, the Controller General of NCoS, disclosed this information during a session with the National Assembly Committee on Interior to defend the 2024 budget. Nababa explained that the current allocation is N750 per day, translating to N250 per meal per inmate.
In a surprising twist, the NCoS has formally requested the Minister of Interior to revise the daily feeding allowance for inmates from N750 to N3,000. The Controller General justified this plea, emphasizing the need for an adequate budget to meet the nutritional requirements of incarcerated individuals.
The revelation not only exposes the exploitation within the correctional system but also raises concerns about the welfare of inmates, prompting calls for urgent reforms and transparency in the allocation of resources meant for their well-being.
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