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PRISON: FG Unveils Investigative Report, Intensifies Reforms in Correctional Service


By Jako Keke, March 24, 2026.

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, accountability, and far-reaching reforms in the nation’s correctional system with the presentation of the report of an independent panel that investigated alleged misconduct within the Nigerian Correctional Service.

The report was formally presented at a high-level stakeholders’ engagement convened by the Federal Ministry of Interior, drawing participants from across government institutions, the justice sector, security agencies, civil society organisations, and international development partners.

Speaking at the event, the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, said the establishment of the investigative panel reflected the government’s resolve to undertake a comprehensive and honest assessment of the challenges facing the correctional system.

According to him, the panel, inaugurated on November 24, 2024, concluded its assignment after 16 months of extensive investigations, consultations, and analysis.

“The work of this panel represents a significant step toward strengthening transparency, accountability, and institutional integrity within our correctional system,” he said, noting that the government deliberately chose a thorough process over a superficial review.

The investigation was initiated following allegations of corruption, abuse of authority, and human rights violations within correctional facilities across the country. The findings, the Minister noted, highlight the urgent need to align correctional operations with global standards of justice, professionalism, and respect for human dignity.

Tunji-Ojo stressed that correctional facilities must transition from mere custodial centres to institutions focused on reformation, rehabilitation, reintegration, and broader societal transformation.

He added that the report would serve as a blueprint for comprehensive reforms aimed at strengthening institutional capacity, improving staff welfare, and enhancing service delivery standards. He also called for collective responsibility among stakeholders to ensure sustainable change.

In his remarks, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, described the exercise as a milestone in rebuilding public trust and reinforcing accountability within Nigeria’s justice system.

Fagbemi commended the Interior Minister for his leadership and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to safeguarding human rights through strengthened institutional frameworks, including the National Human Rights Commission and its oversight mechanisms.

He further noted that the Nigerian Correctional Service Act, 2019 marked a significant shift from a punitive system to a modern correctional model centred on rehabilitation and reintegration.

Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry and Chairperson of the investigative panel, Magdalene Ajani, described the engagement as a vital platform for dialogue, reflection, and collective ownership of reform outcomes.

She said the panel’s work was guided by principles of fairness, independence, and public interest, in line with the Federal Government’s reform agenda.

Goodwill messages were delivered by key stakeholders, including representatives of the Legal Aid Council, Conference of Speakers, the Nigerian Bar Association, and the UNICEF, all of whom agreed that the report must translate into concrete and measurable reforms.

Participants identified persistent challenges within the correctional system, including overcrowding, prolonged pre-trial detention, and gaps in the implementation of legal frameworks.

They called for sustained collaborative efforts and endorsed key recommendations such as the expansion of non-custodial measures, improved access to justice, protection of vulnerable groups—especially children—strengthened oversight mechanisms, and enhanced welfare for correctional personnel.

Declaring the engagement open, the Minister urged stakeholders to approach the reform process with sincerity, objectivity, and a shared commitment to building a humane, efficient, and transparent correctional system aligned with national and international standards.

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