Akwa Ibom Prisons Overcrowded-Controller

The Akwa Ibom State Controller of Corrections (CC), Theophilus Okoka, has expressed concern over the plight of hundreds of inmates currently held at different prison formations in Uyo, Eket, Ikot Abasi and Ikot Ekpene local government areas of Akwa Ibom State.

He lamented that inmates have exceeded the carrying capacities of the facilities, leading to overcrowding.

Okoka commended the State Chief Judge (CJ), Justice Ekaette Obot, for facilitating the recent release of 101 inmates on health and other compassionate grounds, noting that the intervention had helped in decongesting the facilities.

Controller Okoka, therefore, appealed for urgent intervention, especially in the Uyo, Eket and Ikot Abasi custodial centres, lamenting that severe overcrowding and deteriorating infrastructure had combined to expose inmates to life-threatening conditions, with many suffering from different ailments.

He disclosed this when the Akwa Ibom State representative on the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Apostle Abasiandikan Nkono, and other officials undertook a working visit to the Uyo office of the Commission.

According to the Controller, the Uyo Correctional Centre, built to accommodate 613 inmates, currently houses more than 1,000 detainees.

He requested support for the provision of solar-powered lighting, potable water, vocational training equipment, mattresses and beddings, while inviting NDDC officials to inspect the facilities firsthand.

The Controller explained that although the centres operate vocational workshops in trades such as carpentry, barbing, hairdressing and shoemaking, inadequate tools have limited effective skills acquisition for inmates.

Highlighting reforms under his administration, Okoka said inmates had been sponsored to sit for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), while others were pursuing higher education through the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), with some advancing to doctoral studies.

He added that the Command was collaborating with the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity to certify inmates who complete vocational training programmes.

Responding, Apostle Nkono pledged to partner with the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCS) to rehabilitate dilapidated correctional facilities and improve the welfare of inmates across all formations in the state.

Apostle Nkono said the Commission remained committed to strengthening security, promoting human capital development and implementing social intervention programmes across the Niger Delta.

He said the Correctional Service, as a critical security institution, deserved the Commission’s support, noting that its intervention extended beyond physical infrastructure to improving lives.

He also urged the Correctional Service to formally submit its requests, assuring that the NDDC State Office would forward them to the Commission’s management for consideration.

In his vote of thanks, the NDDC State Director, Engr. Evong Evong, appreciated the Correctional Service delegation for the visit and reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to building a productive partnership aimed at addressing the challenges confronting correctional centres in Akwa Ibom State.