The Nigerian Correctional Service has refuted claims made by a whistleblowing group regarding the detention of an Army general.
The NAF described the group’s claims as misinformed.
A civil society organisation, George Uboh Whistleblowers Network, wrote to the Controller-General of the NCoS, Haliru Nababa, on June 10, 2024, asking for the release of an inmate from Kuje Prison.
The organisation noted that the inmate, a former Group Managing Director and Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Army Properties Limited, Maj. Gen. Umaru Mohammed was illegally taken to prison without a warrant.
However, the NCoS clarified that it did not arrest the officer but accepted him into custody following a valid warrant issued by a military court martial.
The spokesperson for the Federal Capital Territory Command of the Service, Adamu Duza, addressed the issue in a statement released on Tuesday.
Duza confirmed that Mohammed was detained following a legal warrant.
“The Command wishes to state unequivocally that the Service is a responsible security agency set up by the laws of the federation, with the mandate of keeping the legally interned.
“The Nigerian Correctional Service only admits persons legally interned by a competent court of law or a military court martial.
“In the case of the said General, he was legally detained by a military court martial, with a valid warrant,” Duza said.
Duza bemoaned the whistleblowing group for spreading misinformation and misunderstanding the criminal justice process.
“It is rather unfortunate for the said group, acting without knowledge of how the system works to feed the public with false information borne out of crass ignorance,” he remarked.
“Asking the Nigerian Correctional Service to release the Major General who was legally interned by a military court martial is an aberration to the criminal justice process.”
The FCT Command of the Nigerian Correctional Service urged the public to disregard the group’s call, reassuring that it remains committed to the safe and humane custody of all individuals legally committed to its care.
