In a notable humanitarian gesture, top Nigerian music icon Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, widely known as Burna Boy, and prominent social media commentator Otse Vincent, popularly called VeryDarkMan (VDM), paid a visit to the Maximum Security Custodial Centre in Kirikiri, Apapa, Lagos.
Purpose of the High-Profile Visit
The visit, which took place recently, had a clear and lawful objective. According to an official statement from the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) Lagos State Command, the duo aimed to obtain firsthand information on the legal and administrative procedures for facilitating the release of inmates who are eligible for discharge through the payment of fines.
They were warmly received by the newly appointed Officer-in-Charge of the facility, Deputy Controller of Corrections (DCC) Sanni Richard. During the meeting, DCC Richard provided the celebrities with professional guidance, offering detailed clarifications on the processes governing fine payments, the eligibility criteria for inmates, and the legal safeguards designed to ensure full transparency and accountability.
Correctional Service Reiterates Commitment to Due Process
The Nigerian Correctional Service used the opportunity to reiterate a crucial point. It emphasized that the payment of fines for eligible inmates is a lawful process guided strictly by court judgments and existing correctional regulations. The Service assured the public that no inmate is released without undergoing proper verification, documentation, and authorization as mandated by extant laws.
Furthermore, the NCoS stated its commitment to upholding international standards. It confirmed that inmates in its custody are held in safe, secure, and humane conditions, in line with the Nigerian Correctional Service Act of 2019 and the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, also known as the Nelson Mandela Rules.
Appreciation for Civic Engagement and Future Collaboration
The Lagos State Command of the Correctional Service commended individuals and organizations that show interest in lawful initiatives which promote access to justice, help decongest custodial centres, and support the humane treatment of inmates. The Service encouraged sustained collaboration, provided such efforts remain within the bounds of the law.
In its concluding remarks, the NCoS reaffirmed its core statutory mandate, which focuses on the safe custody, humane treatment, reformation, rehabilitation, and successful reintegration of inmates back into society. The rights, dignity, and welfare of those in custody remain a top priority for the Service.
