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JUST IN: Tinubu approves relocation of 29 custodial centres

President Bola Tinubu has approved the relocation of 29 correctional centres across the country as part of ongoing efforts to modernise the nation’s custodial facilities.
The Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, confirmed this development during the commissioning of 39 newly acquired vehicles and five bullet-resistant guard booths for the Nigerian Correctional Service in Abuja on Friday.
Tunji-Ojo highlighted that many of the existing correctional facilities, such as those in Suleja and Ikoyi, were established in the 19th century and are outdated.
“Suleja Correctional Centre was established in 1914, Ikoyi in 1956, and we even have facilities from the 19th century. We cannot continue to work with such outdated infrastructure.
“The President has graciously approved for us to start the process of relocating 29 correctional centres,” he stated.
The minister emphasised the urgent need for modernisation to improve conditions for both correctional officers and inmates, noting that the relocation is part of a larger plan to address the infrastructural challenges hindering the effectiveness of the correctional system.
He also reassured the public of the government’s commitment to reform, saying, “We have to solve these problems one by one, and I want to assure you that the process of relocating these correctional centres has already started.”
Tunji-Ojo further noted that this move is essential for creating a more effective and rehabilitative correctional system, as the current facilities no longer meet modern standards.
The minister also spoke about ongoing efforts to improve the welfare of correctional officers.
“We are making progress. We are not yet where we need to be, but we are certainly not where we were,” he stated, referencing significant improvements in officer promotions and welfare.
He added that relocating the correctional centres would further enhance the government’s broader reform agenda, which includes better conditions for both inmates and officers.
The minister highlighted the significant improvements made under President Tinubu’s administration regarding the welfare of correctional officers.
He explained that in the past two years, more than “50,000 paramilitary officers have been promoted,” addressing long-standing issues in the promotion system.
He added that, for the first time in history, the promotion system within the service had undergone a complete overhaul, with officers now experiencing timely career progression.
Tunji-Ojo also spoke about the broader vision for the future of Nigeria’s paramilitary and correctional services.
“We are building a system where the paramilitary will be at the centre of internal security in Nigeria.
This is a function of capacity, and capacity is a function of knowledge acquisition,” he explained.
He emphasised the importance of professionalising correctional services, noting that recruitment practices should be rigorous and in line with international standards.
“We are encouraging our officers and ensuring that they are properly trained.
But beyond that, we must ensure that the correctional system is not just about punishment but also about rehabilitation and transformation,” the minister added.
In his address, the Acting Controller-General of Corrections, Sylvester Nwakuche, expressed his enthusiasm for the new acquisitions, which include specialised vehicles for transporting inmates to and from courts.
The vehicles will be distributed to various commands based on operational needs and demand.
In addition to the escort vehicles, the NCoS also unveiled five bullet-resistant guard booths.
These booths, stationed at strategic locations, including the National Headquarters in Abuja and several high-security custodial centres in Kuje, Port Harcourt, Kano, and Lagos, are designed to secure facilities against external attacks.
Equipped with long-range surveillance capabilities, the booths offer resistance to high-level threats, including heavy weaponry and explosives.
“The acquisition of these vehicles directly responds to the evolving challenges faced by the NCoS, particularly in ensuring the timely production of inmates in courts.
As clearly outlined in the Nigerian Correctional Service Act, 2019, one of our core functions is the ‘conveyance of remand persons to and from courts in motorised formations.’
“These new additions to our fleet will significantly bolster our capacity to meet this critical aspect of our mandate,” Nwakuche added.
Nwakuche also highlighted the significance of the new fleet in addressing the growing issue of Awaiting Trial Persons in custody.
As of February 17, 2025, the NCoS reported a total inmate population of 80,066, with 66 per cent being pretrial detainees.
“With this strengthened fleet, we are poised to improve court attendance, thus playing our part in the swift administration of justice and contributing to the overall decongestion of our correctional facilities.
“This development aligns perfectly with the broader vision of the Federal Government to reposition the Nigerian Correctional Service for enhanced efficiency, professionalism, and compliance with international best practices,” he said.
The Acting Controller-General also extended his appreciation to NCoS officers for their professionalism and dedication, urging them to ensure the responsible use and regular maintenance of the new vehicles and guard booths.
“Let us continue to discharge our duties with dedication, integrity, and professionalism. Together, we can build a correctional system that reflects the values of justice, security, and humanity,” he concluded.
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Mauritania’s Tah succeeds Adesina as 9th AfDB President
Tah was elected to succeed Adesina after rounds of voting conducted by the AfDB Board of Governors during the Bank’s Annual Meetings held in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.

Mauritania’s Sidi Ould Tah has been elected as the ninth president of the African Development Bank Group (AfDB) as Nigeria’s Akinwumi Adesina prepares to bow out.
The Bank announced his election on its website on Thursday.
Adesina’s 10-year tenure will end this year and Tah is expected to assume office on September 1, 2025.
Tah was elected to succeed Adesina after rounds of voting conducted by the AfDB Board of Governors during the Bank’s Annual Meetings held in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
The Board comprises finance ministers and central bank governors from the Bank’s 81 member countries.
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JUST IN: Appeal Court Affirms Okphebholo as Edo Governor

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has affirmed Monday Okphebholo as duly elected in the September 21, 2024 Edo Governorship polls, as it affirms the decision of the Tribunal which on April 2 dismissed the petition of Asue Ighodalo of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for lacking merit.
A three-man panel of the Appeal court, presided over by Justice Mohamed Danjuma, restated the position of the Tribunal which held that the PDP failed to provide sufficient and credible evidence to substantiate their claims of electoral malpractice, irregularities, and non-compliance with the Electoral Act.
The panel held that the PDP failed to provide sufficient and credible evidence to substantiate their claims of electoral malpractice, irregularities, and non-compliance with the Electoral Act.
The Appellate Court agrees with the Tribunal that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) Machines which the appellants tendered were merely ‘dumped’ as they weren’t demonstrated to prove overvoting.
This the Court held after it earlier expunged the 133 BVAS machines admitted in evidence at the Tribunal stage of the Governorship tussle.
Ighodalo and the PDP were further faulted by the Appellate Court for failing to tender the voter register to prove overvoting.
The Court further adds that BVAS extract doesn’t constitute items with which to prove overvoting. It says the documents tendered by the PDP at the Tribunal did not, on their own, prove overvoting, non-holding or cancellation of elections at the polling units.
To further puncture the case of the PDP, the panel says the 19 witnesses called by the appellants during the Tribunal hearing didn’t help their case.
It says the majority of them did not witness what they spoke about. Moreso, it adds they were insufficient to prove irregularities in polling stations at over 4,000 locations.
Nigeria’s electoral body, INEC, had declared Okpebholo the winner with 291,667 votes, against Asue Ighodalo of the PDP who garnered 247,274 votes.
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Betta Edu Congratulates President Tinubu On His Two Years In Office

The former Honorable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation. former, Dr Betta Edu, has congratulated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on his Two Years in Office.
Edu, who joined millions of Nigerians and members of the All Progressives Congress, APC to heartily congratulate the president on his second year in office as the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria said the president has been a true father to all.
Her statement reads: Mr. President, Father of the nation.
I join millions of Nigerians and members of our great party, the All Progressives Congress, APC to heartily congratulate you on your second year in office as the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Despite the obvious challenges, your dedication to transforming Nigeria and changing the economic landscape by improving the lives of the citizens in the long run is visible, even to the greatest critics.
It’s has not been an easy ride navigating terrains that even lions won’t dare! Your commitment to hard work and a result oriented leadership is unprecedented.
The focus of your administration on economic rejuvenation is evidently changing the narrative and Nigerians are witnessing the positive impacts, including infrastructural development, education for all, affordable housing, huge improvement in the security situation among others, in just two years.
These positive developments underscore the renewed hope agenda of your administration.
Your Excellency, this was the toughest two years of your four + four years journey leading our nation.
The right foundation has been laid; it’s time for the fruits to blossom.
Forward forever, Nigeria will experience a rebirth, under your dynamic and visionary leader, A Lion is never distracted by the bleats of goats.
Mr. President keeps raising the bar….her statement reads.
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