The Comptroller of Nigerian Prison Services, Ahmed Ja’afaru has denied Borno state government’s committee investigates child prostitution, sodomy and force abortion at maximum-security prison, Maiduguri, Northeast Nigeria.
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 while submitting his report to Governor Kashim Shettima at Government House.
He said the committee had six meetings on this subject and finally resolved to
write their report and inform the Governor that the committee met a brick wall, because 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 Reporters.
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 organizations 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, and promised to take up the matter to the Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Dambazau on Monday next week.