FG to expel prison controllers ‘taking bribe to lock up poor people’

The Minister of Interior, Hon. (Dr.) Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has said the Federal Government is ready to expel officers abusing their powers by locking up people without a detention warrant.

The Minister disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja during his presentation at the International Donor Round Table on Correctional Service Reform organized by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, UNODC.

While speaking on the abuse of power by correctional facility controllers, which has in recent years become a commonplace practice, the Minister who frowned at such development noted that the Renewed Hope agenda of the President was set to crack down and expel anyone caught in the act.

“Any controller caught taking money from a big man to lock up a poor man without a detention warrant will be expelled from the service.

“We are here to fill in the gap for the weakest in the society. We are here, as a government, to be the voice of the voiceless, and the strength of the weakest. Never again should the freedom of anybody be taken away on the basis of his weakness,” Tunji-Ojo was quoted as saying in a statement by his media aide Alao Babatunde on Wednesday.

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The Minister assured the United Nations team that the current administration is key to doing things differently in order to earn the trust of its citizens and the international communities.

“Trust is something you don’t ask for – you earn it. This government wants to work to earn your trust and loyalty. We are doing things differently, and ready to deliver on the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu where Nigerians can have a better life, and brighter future,” the Minister said.

The UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Mr. Matthias Schmale, commended the Minister for his proactive measures since taking over the helm of affairs of the Ministry.

“I want to commend you for the good job you are doing. I am aware of the great things you have done.”

Held in the UN House in Abuja, the round table saw the participation of top officials from the Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Justice, House Committee on Reformatory Institutions, UNODC, UNFPA, concerned NGOs, diplomats, and international communities including the Italian Ambassador, and representatives of the governments of Germany, Qatar and the USA.