Drama As FG Sacks Top Controller, Other Officials

The Federal Government has dismissed three personnel of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), including a Controller of Corrections, for various misconducts.

These misconducts include gross negligence of duty, absence without leave, trafficking in illicit items, general inefficiency, and falsification of results, among others.

In a statement on Thursday, NCoS spokesperson Abubakar Umar said the action was taken to uphold high standards of discipline and professionalism within the Service. However, the name of the dismissed controller was not disclosed.

According to a letter from the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire, and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB), a total of 20 personnel were discharged and acquitted of the various offences they were accused of. Additionally, one officer who was previously suspended was reinstated following a review exercise.

Moreover, three personnel were compulsorily retired, six personnel had their ranks reduced, and 13 personnel received either verbal or plain warnings.

“These sanctions align with the zero-tolerance policy on staff misconduct, a core principle of Controller General of Corrections, Haliru Nababa FICMC, MFR, mni, aimed at eliminating unscrupulous elements and misfits from the Service. This is to enhance professionalism and instill discipline, ethics, and excellence among officers and personnel,” Umar stated.

He emphasized that the Service is mandated to keep legally interned individuals in safe and humane conditions while reforming, rehabilitating, and reintegrating them into society as responsible citizens. To fulfill these mandates, the Service must remove unprofessional and problematic personnel that may hinder its objectives.

NCoS is under the Ministry of Interior headed Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.