The Legal Aid Council has visited the Keffi Medium Security Custodial Centre as part of its prison decongestion drive.
The team was led by the Deputy-Director in charge of LACoN FCT Office, Barrister Okwuegbu Egenti.
On arrival at the facility, the team interviewed inmates and followed up on those Inmates whose cases were pending in various courts within Abuja and its environs.
Sixteen inmates whose offences range from conspiracy, theft, affray and rape were specifically attended to.
The team of lawyers and paralegals informed those slated for bail to liaise with their family members so that their bail conditions can be met.
On the issue of juvenile inmates staying in the same cells with adult prisoners, Barrister Egenti informed the Welfare Officer of the Correctional Centre that LACoN will pay a visit to FCT Command and will table it to the Controller who will take it up from there to the appropriate quarters.
He stated that Juveniles staying in the same cell with adults is not good and also not in the interest of the Nation because some hardened criminals can intimidate and corrupt them.
” If there are no juvenile homes in Keffi and Abuja, I am sure the Government with the Renewed Hope Agenda will look into that. The Management of the Custodial Centre should be commended for their well kept environment and the neat appearance of the inmates as well as the feeding pattern despite the economic hardship in the country”. Mr. Egenti said.
He however said that it was observed that the cells were over stretched as it has capacity for 300-350 inmates maximum but currently has on record 779 inmates.
The LACoN pointed out that over population might have contributed to the rate of deaths recorded in the Custodial centre in the past three years.
” It calls for concern likewise the issue of Juveniles that is the under-aged living will full grown adults with questionable Character.“ LACoN team added.
