THE leadership of Hospital and Prison Welfare Initiative (HPWI) has called on the federal and state governments to, as a matter of urgency, de-congest the correctional centers, attributable to COVID-19.
As a result, the group urged President Muhammadu Buhari to order the discharge of minors under the age of 18 years from the federal correctional centres.
The group said within the declaration of war on prison congestion, “we are calling the Nigeria President, Muhammadu Buhari to release a circular through the Comptroller-General of Correctional Centers for the discharge of minors under the age of 18years”.
The group, in a very statement by its founder, Dr. Rev. Nathaniel Oyinloye, also said government have to do more to support individuals not convicted, but awaiting trial during COVID-19.
“We (HPWI) as an organization believed that enough isn’t being done to support individuals, not convicted but awaiting trials, during this COVID-19′
“As a result, we are calling on the President of the Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari and also the governors of the 36 States in Nigeria, to declare “war on the De-Congestion of the Nigeria Correctional Services (Prisons),” it said.
It also called on the 36 state governments to imitate by releasing vulnerable people, who haven’t committed any capital offence and are merely awaiting trial.