Abia State governor, Dr Alex Otti has reiterated his commitment to improve prison conditions and ensure justice for detainees across the state.
Otti, who made the pledge when the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Reformatory Institutions, Chinedu Ogah, paid him a visit in Nvosi, Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area, announced that architectural designs for the renovation of correctional facilities had been completed and submitted for verification.
The governor, however, acknowledged that encroachment issues at Aba Correctional Centre had delayed the commencement of rehabilitation work, a challenge, which he said his administration is determined to resolve.
Otti reaffirmed his dedication to justice, revealing that reviews conducted in 2023 and 2024 aimed to identify and release individuals unjustly detained—especially those incarcerated for political reasons or minor offenses.
“We found many people languishing in Afara Prison simply for criticising or opposing the previous government.
“We ensured that such cases were reviewed and those held illegally were released,” he said.
To further decongest correctional facilities, Otti pledged to collaborate with the Nigerian Correctional Service to assist detainees unable to meet stringent bail conditions.
He also highlighted a recent intervention by the first lady which led to the temporary release of a heavily pregnant woman involved in a pension fraud case, allowing her to deliver her child safely in a hospital.
The governor stressed the importance of distinguishing between minor offenders and individuals who pose genuine threats to the society.
Earlier, Ogah commended the governor for his remarkable infrastructural achievements and dedication to improve correctional facilities across the state.
He noted that Abia is the only state in the South East with a 3,000-capacity correctional center in Uzuakoli.
He also praised the governor for providing critical amenities such as water, solar streetlights and structural reinforcements to various correctional centers, describing these efforts as life-changing for inmates.
The committee chairman explained that their visit was in line with the amended Section 48 of the Second Schedule of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which transferred Correctional Services from the exclusive list to the concurrent list.
According to him, the amendment empowers governors to construct, maintain and upgrade correctional facilities within their jurisdictions.
Ogah drew the governor’s attention to the poor condition of the road leading to Uzuakoli Correctional Center and appealed for intervention.
