EFCMP, EKET CORRECTIONAL CENTRE FORGE PARTNERSHIP ON FREE LEGAL AID, INMATE REHABILITATION

EFCMP, EKET CORRECTIONAL CENTRE FORGE PARTNERSHIP ON FREE LEGAL AID, INMATE REHABILITATION

…Seeks Gov. Eno’s, Council Chairmen’s, Philanthropists’ Support for Facility Renovation, Operational Vehicles

The Eket Federal Constituency Media Professionals (EFCMP) has announced plans to partner with the Eket Medium Security Correctional Centre to provide free legal assistance, reorientation and skills acquisition programmes for inmates, particularly those awaiting trial and unable to secure legal representation.

The initiative was disclosed on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, when members of the media professionals’ forum paid a courtesy visit to the correctional facility in Eket Local Government Area.

Speaking during the visit, the Chairman of EFCMP, Comrade Enobong Nsima, said the intervention was part of the forum’s commitment to humanitarian service, social development and the promotion of justice.

Nsima said the forum was concerned about the number of inmates awaiting trial, particularly those facing minor offences, prolonged detention or difficulties perfecting bail due to financial constraints.

He explained that the proposed intervention would go beyond securing the release of qualified inmates, as the forum also plans to facilitate reorientation and skills acquisition programmes to support their successful reintegration into society.

“We want to partner with the Eket Medium Security Correctional Centre to help inmates who are incarcerated for offences that do not justify prolonged imprisonment gain their freedom, reunite with their families and be reintegrated into society.

“We will not only end at securing their freedom; we will also organise programmes such as skills acquisition and reorientation to engage them and make them useful to society. We will work with them to ensure they do not return here again. He added: “We want to decongest the facility.”

Responding, the Officer-in-Charge of the Eket Medium Security Correctional Centre, CSC Samuel Bassey, expressed appreciation to the EFCMP for the initiative, describing the intervention as an “answered prayer.”

Bassey commended the media professionals for showing concern about the welfare and rehabilitation of inmates, urging them to sustain the partnership and use their platforms to draw attention to the challenges confronting correctional facilities.

He explained that the transition from the former nomenclature of “prison” to “correctional centre” reflected a broader shift from a purely punitive approach to rehabilitation, reformation and character transformation.

According to him, punitive measures alone have not produced the desired results, stressing that the correctional system now accommodates psychological, educational and vocational interventions aimed at transforming inmates.

“Punitive aspects alone have not really given us what we want. The new nomenclature accommodates several aspects that can be explored to transform character, including addressing psychological defects,” he said.

The Officer-in-Charge disclosed that the Eket Correctional Centre serves 18 courts across nine Local Government Areas and has maintained a peaceful environment despite the challenges confronting the facility.

He said the centre collaborates with non-governmental organisations, religious bodies and educational institutions in addressing moral decadence and promoting the rehabilitation of inmates.

Bassey also disclosed that convicted inmates are enrolled in various skills acquisition programmes, including barbing, electrical works, auto mechanics and auto-electricals. He explained that awaiting-trial inmates are generally excluded from the vocational programmes because of the uncertainty surrounding their release, while inmates with established sentences are prioritised so they can complete their training cycles.

“Once they are trained and reintegrated, it helps to avert recidivism. They will not return to crime,” he said. However, Bassey lamented that many productive young people remain incarcerated at government expense, stressing that their energy and skills could be redirected towards productive activities and nation-building if their cases were promptly addressed.

Appeal for Vehicles, Renovation of Office Structure with Modern Office Equipments and General Renovation of the entire facility

The Officer-in-Charge also drew attention to the critical infrastructural and operational challenges facing the centre, particularly the lack of functional vehicles for conveying inmates to court. He disclosed that several appeals and letters had been sent to relevant authorities requesting operational vehicles, but the efforts had yet to yield the desired response.

According to him, the last vehicle donated to the facility was during the administration of former Governor Godswill Akpabio. Bassey appealed to the Federal and State Governments, Local Government Councils, corporate organisations, NGOs, philanthropists and other well-meaning individuals to support the centre with operational vehicles and other essential infrastructure.

He said the lack of vehicles had created serious difficulties in transporting inmates to court, sometimes forcing the authorities to hire commercial buses from local parks.

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

Bassey disclosed that 46 awaiting-trial inmates have reportedly remained in custody since 2023, with some allegedly unable to appear in court because of the centre’s transportation challenges. He cited inmates brought from Nsit Ubium Local Government Area as an example, saying some had remained at the facility since 2023 without appearing in court due to the lack of operational vehicles.

On dilapidated structures, staff quarters, the Officer-in-Charge, further raised concerns over the deteriorating condition of some buildings within the facility, particularly damaged roofs which, he said, have become more problematic during this period of heavy rainfall. He said some sections of the facility require urgent renovation to protect inmates and staff from harsh weather conditions.

During an inspection tour, members of the EFCMP were taken around the facility where they observed sections of dilapidated buildings, including old mud structures reportedly being used as staff quarters, as well as grounded operational vehicles. The condition of some of the structures, according to the inspection, underscores the urgent need for intervention to improve the working and living environment within the centre.

EFCMP Solicits Support

Following the revelations, the EFCMP appealed to Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, and the Executive Chairmen of Eket, Esit Eket, Ibeno and Onna Local Government Areas — Hon. Akaniyene Tommey Ikott, Hon. Uduak Ikemesit Ikot, Hon. Kufre Umoren and Hon. Glory Ekah Effiong — as well as philanthropists, corporate organisations, NGOs and other well-meaning individuals to support the correctional centre.

The forum specifically solicited assistance towards the improvement of the centre’s office structure, renovation of dilapidated buildings, provision of an ambulance bus and a Hilux vehicle, to facilitate the safe and secure movement of inmates to court and other essential operations.

The media professionals said such intervention would not only improve the welfare of inmates and staff but also strengthen the administration of justice and contribute to public safety.

The EFCMP stressed that supporting correctional facilities should be viewed as an investment in society, noting that every criminal successfully prosecuted and every inmate successfully rehabilitated represents one less potential threat to the community.

As CSC Bassey put it, the importance of the correctional system goes beyond incarceration: “Every criminal, kidnapper or armed robber arrested and prosecuted here is a problem solved in society, and every inmate transformed is for the development of society.” He stated that female inmates are mainly identified with cases of child trafficking.

The EFCMP pledged to continue using its platforms to advocate for interventions that promote justice, rehabilitation, human dignity and sustainable community development.

By Comrade Emem Ebito