Jutha Gupah, Maiduguri
The Comptroller of Nigerian Prison Services (NPS), Ahmed Ja’afaru has denied Borno state committee investigates child prostitution, sodomy and force abortion at maximum security prison, Maiduguri. The committee’s denials, followed letters of access and reminder to the Comptroller; investigate alleged prostitution and abortions in the prison, reported by Sahara Reporters. Borno state Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice, Kaka Shehu Lawan; disclosed this Tuesday, while submitting his report to Governor Kashim Shettima at Government House. His words: “Going by the committee’s terms of reference, it members visited the Comptroller of Borno state prison services. “Unfortunately, on arrival, we realised that the nominee earlier submitted to the committee, was actually recalled. “The NPS nominated the Deputy Comptroller of Prisons, Ahmed Ujube to be represented on the committee.” Continuing, he added: “But on arrival at the headquarters on March 22, 2019, the Comptroller informed the committee that he has recalled the membership of Ujube. That was why the drama all begun. “We told him that we are constituted by state government to look into the alleged incidences of child prostitution, sodomy and force abortion at Maiduguri prison.” According to him, the hands of the Comptroller are tied and he cannot take any decision, until he gets directives from Abuja Headquarters. For the committee commence investigations, another reminding letter was sent to the Comptroller on April 4, 2019, asking him to grant access carry out an in-depth investigations on alleged offences committed in prison. He said besides the reminder, another letter was sent through the office of National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). “But all efforts to get access or have committee’s letters replied proved abortive,” he lamented. He said the committee had six meetings on this subject. According to him; “We finally resolved to write our report and inform the Governor that the committee met a brick wall.” He said the wall was as a result of lack of cooperation from both the Abuja Prison Headquarters and Maiduguri prison command. He said the Ministry of Justice in the state, prosecuted most of the inmates at the maximum security prison. He added that the offences, for which they were prosecuted, were also captured in the Sahara Report. The commissioner further disclosed that; because of lack of access to prison, the committee is unable to unravel the sad incidences that were actually published. He said pressure groups and international bodies have started writing letters to the committee, Governor and Justice Ministry, asking for the report for follow ups. He said other human rights organisations also indicated interests of getting the report for committee’s findings and state government position. Governor Shettima said that the allegations are grave that cannot be swept under the carpet. He said it is sad and condemn-able that the NPS created a brick wall to investigate incidences of child prostitution, sodomy and forced abortion. He said no sensible government will turn a blind eye to atrocities being inflicted on girls. He said that he is taking up the matter to the Minister of Interior, Abdulrahaman Danbazau on Monday next week. He said the attitude of the comptroller of prisons, is condemn-able and detestable. He believes that the federal government should bring to bear on Ja’afar. “He who has nothing to hide; has nothing to fear for,” he said, noting that there are certain things that they don’t want the world to know by creating a brick wall for the committee to investigate.
