News
Correctional Service confirms deaths of two awaiting-trial inmates in Akwa Ibom
The Nigeria Correctional Service, NCoS, Akwa Ibom State Command, has confirmed the tragic death of two awaiting-trial inmates at the Uyo Custodial Centre following an electrical surge from a faulty transformer that affected the facility.
The incident occurred two weeks ago when a nearby transformer exploded, causing a high-voltage wire to snap and fall within the custodial premises, plunging the area into darkness.
Speaking with members of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Akwa Ibom State Council, the State Controller of Corrections, Frank Okonkwo, described the centre as the worst hit by the incident. He lamented that the explosion claimed the lives of two inmates, injured two staff members, and destroyed several electrical appliances.
He recalled that during the explosion, the deceased were thrown off from where they were staying. Despite first aid administered by the facility’s medical personnel and their subsequent transfer to the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, they were later confirmed dead.
Okonkwo explained that although the victims were awaiting trial for conspiracy, kidnapping, and armed robbery, they remained presumed innocent until proven otherwise by the court. He described the incident as deeply unfortunate.
He added that the families of the deceased had been contacted and that one had already completed the process to retrieve the remains. However, the corpses would only be released after investigations were concluded.
“It was very unfortunate because the incident caused a lot of damage both to our facility and the families of the deceased,” he said. “When that explosion occurred, officials of PHEDC came and confirmed that it was due to excessive voltage. The surge destroyed all our electrical appliances, including computers.
“It also affected our barracks and the official residence of the officer in charge. But the most painful aspect was the loss of two inmates, who died despite all efforts to save them. They were awaiting trial, one for conspiracy and kidnapping, the other for armed robbery.”
Okonkwo recalled that the same transformer had developed faults in the past, though without casualties, and called on relevant authorities to intervene to prevent a recurrence.
He stated that the NCoS Legal Department was investigating the matter and would present a comprehensive report in due course.
The controller also disclosed that the command was preparing to launch a rehabilitation and empowerment initiative for inmates who had completed vocational training while in custody. He said the program would equip beneficiaries with start-up kits to help them reintegrate into society and avoid reoffending.
“We are targeting 30 inmates for now, depending on available funds and support from donors,” he said. “The beneficiaries will be drawn from our custodial centres in Uyo, Ikot Abasi, Ikot Ekpene, and Eket. They have acquired skills such as tailoring, carpentry, barbering, and welding and are nearing discharge between now and December.”
Okonkwo added that the service is gender-sensitive and that female inmates have also received training in weaving, pastry-making, and other trades. He stressed that the empowerment programme would include both male and female beneficiaries to ensure their successful reintegration into society.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Thursday, swore in General Christopher Gwabin Musa (rtd) as Minister of Defence at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
General Musa’s appointment follows the resignation of Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar on Monday, December 1, 2025. His nomination was announced the following day and transmitted to the Senate, where it received expedited screening and confirmation.
Born in Sokoto in 1967, General Musa was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant into the Nigerian Army in 1991 and had a distinguished military career. He was appointed Chief of Defence Staff by President Tinubu in 2023 and retired in October 2025.
As Chief of Defence Staff, he championed inter-service security collaboration.
With his swearing-in, the new Defence Minister is expected to immediately assume duties as the Tinubu administration seeks to consolidate recent security gains and fast-track reforms aimed at achieving lasting peace and stability nationwide.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, Chairman, Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, Sen. Adeniyi Adegbonmire, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, and the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, attended the swearing-in ceremony.
Also in attendance were the spouse of the new Minister, Mrs Lilian Oghogho Musa; Chief of Defense Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede; Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Matthew Hassan Kukah; and Justice Kumai Bayang Akaahs (rtd).
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has said it has appealed the judgment of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, which ordered the release of twenty-seven houses to James Ibechukwu Okoye and his company.
In the Notice of Appeal filed at the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal, the Commission expressed dissatisfaction with the decision of the trial court, which was delivered on October 31, 2025.
EFCC counsel, Abba Mohammed, SAN, sought two orders from the Court of Appeal, which include; Staying the execution of the judgment of the trial court pending the hearing and determination of the appeal; and such further or other orders as the court may deem fit to make in the circumstances.
Meanwhile, the Commission said it felt obliged to correct the distortions and misrepresentations contained in a news story titled “EFCC Invades Abuja Property Despite Court Order Restraining Agency, Awarding N20 million To Jona Brothers”.
It explained in a statement on X that the Abuja property, Plot 680-689 Cadastral Zone B06, Mabushi, Abuja, referenced in the report, is a subject of criminal charge before Justice A.I Kutigi of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court .
However, the EFCC said it sought and secured an order of interim forfeiture of the property before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja pending the determination of the criminal charge before Justice Kutigi.
“In granting the order, the court authorized the EFCC to ‘appoint competent persons/ firm to manage the assets/properties listed in the schedule therein, temporarily forfeited to the Federal Government pending the conclusion of investigation and determination of criminal charges against the suspect,’”
“It is also important to point out that the criminal charge struck out by Justice Osho Adebiyi and the N20m cost she awarded is not in any way connected to the interim order.
“In addition, the enforcement of the interim forfeiture order of the property by the Commission is without prejudice to ongoing appeals on court pronouncements about the true ownership of the property. The appeals are ongoing and the EFCC is diligently attending proceedings.”
The Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun has reaffirmed the commitment of the country’s judiciary to protection of human rights as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution and other international laws and treaties.
She emphasized that the judiciary remains steadfast in its constitutional mandate to uphold the rule of law and protect the rights of citizens.
The CJN spoke on Thursday at the conference on ‘Proportional Force and Respect for Human Dignity: A Dialogue in Governance’, organized by the National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, in collaboration with Citizen FM.
The Administrator of the National Judicial Institute, NJI, Justice Babatunde Adeniran Adejumo, represented the Chief Justice of Nigeria at the conference.
In the goodwill message, Justice Kekere-Ekun congratulated the National Human Rights Commission on its 30th anniversary and commended the organizers for holding the conference on International Human Rights Day.
She emphasized that when authority is exercised with restraint, discipline, and accountability, it strengthens public trust and reinforces the legitimacy of institutions.
The CJN reiterated the judiciary’s commitment to protecting human rights and providing remedies where they are infringed.
“Let me make it abundantly clear that the judiciary remains steadfast in its constitutional mandate to uphold the rule of law and protect the rights of citizens,” she said.
The CJN further commended the NHRC for promoting dialogue and awareness on critical human rights issues in Nigeria.
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