46 Inmates Await Trial at Eket Medium Security Correctional Centre

46 Inmates Await Trial at Eket Medium Security Correctional Centre

…as EFCMP promises free legal services

No fewer than 46 inmates are awaiting trial at Medium Security Correctional Centre (MSCC), located along Liverpool Road, Eket in Eket Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State due to non availability of operational vehicles to convey them to court.

The Officer in Charge of Eket Medium Security Correctional Centre, Chief Superintendent of Corrections (CSC) Samuel Bassey, disclosed this members of Eket Federal Constituency Media Professionals (EFCMP) forum paid him a courtesy visit in his office at Eket.

According to CSC Bassey, some of the inmates were brought from Nsit Ubium Local Government Area to the facility since 2023 and they have never visited the court for once due to lack of operational vehicles to convey them to court.

“Sometimes we have to go to the local park to hire mini buses that will convey inmates to the court,” saying, “the decision is very risky as you must ensure that the person you engage is trustworthy.”

He queried how justice will be dispensed when the inmates haven’t been taken to court.

“Our jurisdiction covers 9 local government areas with 66 courts. It is difficult to take the inmates to court without having operational vehicles. None of our vehicles are functional. Even the one at the workshop cannot be fixed. We really need support to discharge our duties effectively” said CSC Bassey.

He disclosed that they have made frantic efforts by writing to the authority, requesting for operational vehicles but haven’t received any response, appealing to government at all levels, corporate organizations, non-governmental organizations, philanthropists, etc, to come to their aid as the issue is very worrisome not only to the inmates but also to those working in the facility.

He mentioned that the last vehicle that was donated to the facility was during Governor Godswill Akpabio led administration. He pointed out that he has written series of letters requesting for support but none is yielding result.

Bassey further stated that some of the roofs in the facility have been totally worn out due to the heavy rain that have been experienced in the southern part of the country recently thereby exposing some of the inmates to severe atmospheric conditions, stressing that there is nothing they can do on their own to remedy the situation.

He commended the media professionals for the visit and assured of stronger collaboration especially in reformation and reintegration of inmates back to the society.

Speaking earlier, the Chairman of Eket Federal Constituency Media Professionals (EFCMP) forum, Comrade Enobong Nsimah, solicited collaboration with the facility to offer pro bono services to inmates that do not have access legal representation.

He also requested for partnership to train some of the inmates in skill acquisition and reform them so that they can be useful to themselves, their community and the larger society.

Concern about feeding and health condition of inmates were raised which CSC Bassey responded that Federal Government is feeding the inmates well while medical services is also offered at the facility clinic with well trained medical professionals.

Meanwhile, members of the forum were conducted round the dilapidated and worn out residential quarters of Correctional Officers by the Chief Superintendent of Corrections, CSC Samuel Bassey. They called on the authority to provide conducive working environment and housing accommodations for Corrections Officers so as to enable them to discharge their responsibilities effectively.