Metro
Prison to Correctional: New Wine in Old Wineskin
By Eric Elezuo
After 11 years of back and forth, President Muhammadu Buhari finally signed into law the Nigerian Correctional Service Bill. The bill, which was originally proposed in 2008 by Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, who is presently the Chairman, Niger Delta development Commission (NDDC), had been rejected on many occasions, no thanks to constitutional technicalities.
In April 2019, Buhari had declined to sign the bill after lawmakers first passed and sent it to him, claiming that the bill violated Sections 81 and 84 of the Nigerian Constitution, which guarantees the independence of the judiciary. it was however, amended in May and re-presented.
Paramount on the list of achievements of the bill is the fact that it changed the name of the Nigerian Prisons service to Nigerian correctional Service. Pure nomenclature!
Among other qualities, the law empowers the State Comptroller of Prisons to reject additional prisoners where the prison in question is already filled to capacity as well as divides the Correctional Service into two main areas vis a vis The Custodial Service and Non-custodial Service.
While the Custodial Service will, among other things, take control of persons legally interned in safe, secure and humane conditions and provide support to facilitate the speedy disposal of cases of persons awaiting trial, the Non-custodial Service will be responsible for the administration of non-custodial measures like community service, probation, parole, restorative justice measures and such other measures as a court of competent jurisdiction may order.
Like before, the law will seek to focus on correction and promote reformation, rehabilitation and reintegration of offenders and provides of the Controller-General as the administrative head, to be assisted by a minimum of eight Deputy Controller-Generals.
Again, it is believed that the Service must initiate behaviour modification in inmates through the provision of medical, psychological, spiritual and counselling services for all offenders including violent extremists. The law also states that where an inmate sentenced to death has exhausted all legal procedures for appeal and a period of 10 years has elapsed without the execution of the sentence, the Chief Judge may revert the death sentence to life imprisonment.
A cursory look at the provision of the new law adequately balances with the former. One would have expected that thorough welfare of prisoners will be made a priority because that forms the basis of down to earth reformation. More so, the prison facilities across the federation are in sorry state just as the welfare of officers tending criminals. This has formed the bedrock of warders colluding with criminals to perpetrate more atrocities even while in incarceration.
While we applaud the efforts of the Federal Government and the lawmakers, it is worthy of note that old wine cannot thrive in new wineskin neither could new wine thrive in old wineskin. A name change is not all that the prisons across the nation require.
Consider how many times the name of Nigeria’s electricity system has been changed…from National Electric Power Authority (NEPA) to Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) and now to Distribution and Generating companies (DISCOs and GENCOs), yet no tangible improvement has been recorded.
The FG must go beyond name change in addressing the Nigeria’s perennial issues.
By Eric Elezuo
The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has clarified reports making the rounds concerning the death on Tuesday of a former Comptroller General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, David Shikfu Parradang.
Contrary to reports that the ex-NIS boss was murdered by armed robbers, who attacked him on his way from a bank, he was found dead, seated on a chair, in an Abuja hotel room, according a statement signed by the FCT Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, and made available tobthis medium.
The statement titled FCT POLICE RESPOND TO MISREPORTED DEATH OF RETIRED COMPTROLLER GENERAL DAVID PARRADANG, noted that “On March 3, 2025, at approximately 12:00 PM, Mr. Parradang arrived at Joy House Hotel, Area 3 Junction, driving a black Mercedes Benz. He checked into the hotel, paying a sum of Twenty two thousand naira (N22,000) for one night’s stay. Shortly thereafter, he directed the hotel room attendant to escort a female guest who had come to visit to his room. This lady left the hotel premises around 04:00PM of the same day.
“Mr. Parradang did not exit his room after the lady left. Around 04:00 AM of 04 March 2025, a friend who is a military officer, concerned for his wellbeing, traced him to the hotel. Upon arrival, the hotel receptionist and the officer proceeded to his room, where Mr. Parradang was found deceased, seated in a chair.
“The Durumi Police Station was notified and officers promptly arrived at the scene, secured the area, took photographs, and collected all relevant evidence to preserve the integrity of the crime scene. The body has been transferred to the National Hospital for necessary procedures, and hotel staff are currently cooperating with Police investigations.
“Effort is in top gear to effect the arrest of the lady.”
In the light of the corrected misappropriation of report, the Police therefore, “urge the public and media outlets to refrain from spreading unverified information, including claims of kidnapping, that may incite fear or panic.”
The Command further vow its commitment “to conducting a thorough investigation to uncover the circumstances surrounding Mr. Parradang’s death” while appreciating the cooperation and understanding of the public.
Parradang served over three decades in the NIS.
During his career, he occupied numerous roles, culminating in his appointment as comptroller general.
His career took him across multiple regions, where he served in states such as Kano, Lagos, Kwara, Enugu and the FCT.
Mudashiru Obasa has been returned as the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly.
Obasa was reinstated following the resignation of Mojisola Meranda, who stepped down from the role with immediate effect.
He was returned as the speaker during Monday’s plenary session.
In January, Obasa was impeached by members of the Lagos State House of Assembly over multiple allegations of fraud.
Digital solutions provider, Globacom, has partnered with the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy to host the 2025 International Submarine Cable Resilience Summit in Abuja. Organized by the Ministry in partnership with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the International Cable Protection Committee (ICPC), the summit brought together international stakeholders and experts in the telecommunication sector to drive innovation, collaboration and tangible actions. It was co-sponsored by Globacom.
The company, which owns the Glo 1 submarine cable wholly, joined other global stakeholders in the telecommunications and digital landscape in the discussions aimed at bolstering the resilience of cable networks for the benefit of consumers.
Having realized the importance of submarine cables quite early, Globacom deployed Glo 1 from Europe to Africa in 2010. In 2024 when fibre cuts impacted economic, governmental and private activities across West Africa, Glo 1 saved the day for many customers. The cable system was up and running due to its resilience and the constant maintenance strategies deployed by the company. Its capacity was recently upgraded to serve more and more customers and ensure reliable connectivity at all times.
Declaring the two-day summit open, the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, highlighted the significant role submarine cables play in enhancing smooth operation of modern economies.
“Submarine cables form the backbone of global digital connectivity, carrying over 95% of international data traffic, linking continents, and enabling the smooth operation of modern economies. Yet, despite their significance, these infrastructures remain vulnerable to disruptions—whether from natural disasters, geopolitical tensions, accidental damage, or evolving cyber threats”, he stated.
In the light of this, the Minister emphasized the various commitments Nigeria has made under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to strengthen its digital infrastructure and advance policies that support connectivity, innovation, and economic growth.
“We have taken decisive steps as a nation to recognize and protect telecommunications infrastructure as Critical National Infrastructure, aligning with our broader efforts to enhance digital resilience across sectors,” he noted.
In her address, the Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Doreen Bogdan-Martin, emphasized the symbolism of the global undersea network in the realm of innovation and the investment necessary to connect the world meaningfully, highlighting the extent of human reliance on digital infrastructure.
Also speaking, Prof. Sandra Maximiano, Co-Chair, Advisory Board of ITU, addressed the challenges and the need to preventing cable cuts from occurring, emphasizing the importance of bolstering resilience by guaranteeing the availability of technical resources, such as vessels, stockpiles, and spare parts, in areas with lower submarine cable density. Additionally, he underscored the need to align regulatory measures with the demands of resilience.
The event also featured several panel sessions dedicated to the critical dimensions of submarine cable resilience.
