Kano CP laments how Over 400 inmates languishing in correctional centers without records

Newspointer May 14, 2024

By Salejo Ali, Kano

The Police Kano State Northwest Nigeria says, over 400 inmates are languishing in Kano Correctional Centres due to improper records and documentation.

The Kano Police Commissioner CP Mohammed Gumel disclosed this at the occasion of Law Week organized by the Kano state branch of Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), with the theme: “Turning Point.”

He called for a concerted efforts among all stakeholders to reverse the ugly trend.

According to him, the inmates are languishing in the Central Correctional Centre due to various reasons amongst which are, missing/untraced court case record, absence of Case Diary, non-issuance of legal advice and filing of charge at the High Court and prolonged years of criminal trials without granting bail to Defendants.

CP Gumel lamented how the hapless inmates suffer years of prolonged detention for cases that would have been sorted out within a short period.

According to him, with the collective support of other stakeholders in the Criminal Justice System, the Kano state police Command remains ever committed to providing access to justice and equity to the vulnerable members of the society.

CP Gumel recalled that the Command constituted a steering committee to facilitate the implementation of the innovative provisions contained in the Police Duty Solicitors Scheme Document.

“This committee, which is comprised of criminal justice professionals, has embarked on a series of visits to correctional facilities at Janguza and Kurmawa, as well as Zango, Hotoro, and Sharada Police Stations.

The visits were also extended to complexes of Sharia Courts, Nomansland Magistrate Courts, and the High Courts located along Miller Road in Kano State during which held constructive discussions with stakeholders and obtained useful information on the way forward.

These visits underscored our commitment to ensuring the effective implementation of the PDSS initiative and fostering collaboration with key stakeholders in the justice system.”

CP Gumel listed the findings of the Committee to includes, “the legal aid facilities within the State’s law enforcement and judicial system are limited, leading to challenges in providing timely and adequate legal representation to the individuals in need.

There is a lack of basic facilities such as health care, routine hygiene, staff offices, schools, etc. at the Remand Home of Goron Dutse.”

“A significant number of detainees are without access to justice and legal representation for an extended period during their time at Central Correctional Centre Kurmawa, which raises concern about the vulnerability of detainees without legal representation and the potential impact on their rights within the criminal justice system.

He said, “there is a shortage of legal professionals and support for pro bono Publico that involves providing for the public good free legal services to a large number of arrested and/or detained individuals and members of the Force.

There is a lack of effective coordination among key stakeholders especially correctional facilities and legal aid services, leading to gaps in service delivery and support.”

He, however, recommended the Kano State Government to adopt the Police Duty Solicitor Scheme (PDSS) Advisory Committee with a slight modification to serve as Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee to ensure the effective and efficient application and implementation of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law by the relevant agencies in the State.

“The Courts should be encouraged to apply and fully utilize the provisions of Kano State Courts (Custodial and Non-Custodial) Sentencing Guidelines for Offences and ensure that custodial sentences on low culpability and limited harm offenses are minimized to the lowest level.

The Correctional authorities should ensure that inmates (whether awaiting or convicted) are engaged with vocational education and training for rehabilitation and reformation purposes.

The Ministry of Justice should direct the State Counsel to submit legal advice assigned to them in respect of capital offenses pending before the lower courts for necessary action.

DPOs should charge cases promptly to Court; police bail should be granted where the conditions are fulfilled.”

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