News
FG Reaffirms Commitment To Implementing Investigative Panel Report On Nigerian Correctional Centres
FG Reaffirms Commitment To Implementing Investigative Panel Report On Nigerian Correctional Centres
The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, assured stakeholders that the report of the Investigative Panel on Alleged Corruption and Other Violations against the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) would not be shelved but would serve as the foundation for a renewed Nigerian Correctional Service.
The Minister stated this while receiving the Investigative Panel’s Report on Nigerian Correctional Centres in Abuja on Wednesday, noting that the Ministry would act decisively on its recommendations.
Receiving the report, the Honourable Minister commended the panel for its diligence, professionalism, and commitment to uncovering the realities within Nigeria’s correctional facilities. He described the report as a product of painstaking work and wide consultations.
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“This report will form the basis of a transformed correctional system. We will aggressively pursue implementation, establish a robust monitoring and evaluation framework, and ensure independent oversight to guarantee accountability and measurable results,” the Minister stated.
He noted that the work of the panel represented an important step in the ongoing efforts to strengthen accountability, improve operational standards and consolidate reforms within the correctional system.
Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, noted that a well-functioning correctional system benefits not only inmates but society as a whole, adding that correctional facilities should be treated as valuable national assets in the country’s social and economic development architecture.
The Minister reiterated that the correctional sector reflects the values of a nation and emphasized that every Nigerian, regardless of circumstance, deserves dignity, fairness, and humane treatment. He stated that the initiative aligns with the vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to ensure that all Nigerians, including those in correctional custody, benefit from government policies and reforms.
Highlighting progress already recorded within the sector, the Minister disclosed that Nigeria’s custodial facilities currently have a capacity of approximately 68,496 inmates, while the inmate population stands at about 80,732. To address overcrowding, the government is constructing new correctional facilities with an additional capacity of approximately 33,000 inmates, including major projects in Abuja and Kano.
The Minister also reported significant improvements in rehabilitation outcomes, particularly in the reduction of recidivism. According to available data, repeat offenders declined from 11,616 in 2023 to 3,156 in 2024 and further to 1,392 in 2025.
He further highlighted ongoing investments in inmate education and rehabilitation programmes, including:
• 62 postgraduate students currently in custody.
• 261 undergraduate students.
• More than 1,125 inmates participating in educational programmes.
• 18 National Open University study centres operating within correctional facilities.
Thousands of inmates are also enrolled in vocational and skills acquisition programmes covering carpentry, agriculture, electrical installation, welding, tailoring, barbering, soap production, hairdressing, laundry services, and other trades designed to support successful reintegration into society.
On non-custodial measures, the Minister reported that 1,227 individuals have benefited from alternatives to incarceration, including community service, probation, restorative justice, and other non-custodial interventions.
He stressed that correctional centres must become institutions of rehabilitation, restoration, and second chances rather than places of hopelessness and discrimination.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Investigative Panel, Dr. Magdalene Ajani formally presented the report. She expressed appreciation to the Honourable Minister for his support throughout the assignment, noted that members of the panel carefully examined the issues before them and engaged relevant stakeholders in the course of their work.
Dr. Ajani expressed optimism that the report would be effectively implemented and would contribute meaningfully to ongoing reforms within the Nigerian Correctional Service.
Also speaking, the Secretary of the panel, Associate Professor Uju Agomoh, appealed for the findings of the report to be made public, noting that making the document accessible to Nigerians would further strengthen transparency and public confidence in the reform process.
The Investigative Panel on Alleged Corruption and Other Violations against the Nigerian Correctional Service was constituted to investigate allegations of misconduct within the Service and make recommendations aimed at strengthening accountability, transparency and effective service delivery.
The report was officially presented to the Honourable Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo during a ceremony attended by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, the Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Sylvester Nwakuche, members of the Investigative Panel, senior government officials, and members of the media.
In his remarks, the Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Nwakuche welcomed the report and pledged the full cooperation of the Service in implementing the recommendations. He commended the Honourable Minister for his leadership and commitment to correctional reform and praised the Investigative Panel for conducting one of the most extensive engagements and facility assessments undertaken in recent years.
Nigerian Correctional Centres
He emphasized that the Nigerian Correctional Service would work closely with the Judiciary, the Police, and other criminal justice stakeholders to ensure successful implementation of the report’s recommendations and to strengthen the effectiveness of the nation’s correctional system.
The presentation of the report marks a significant landmark in the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts to reposition the Nigerian Correctional Service as a modern institution focused on rehabilitation, reintegration, accountability, and public safety.
E-signed
Mrs Mary Ali, anipr
Head, Press and Public Relations
3rd June 2026
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EFCC Arraigns ALSCON, Director for Alleged N582.43m Money Launderin
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Monday, October 12, 2026, arraigned Aluminium Smelter Company of Nigeria, ALSCON, plc, and its Director, Zavyalov Dmitry, before Justice O. A. Egwuatu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, for alleged money laundering offences involving N582,430,250.00 (Five Hundred and Eighty-Two Million, Four Hundred and Thirty Thousand, Two Hundred and Fifty Naira).
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The company and its director were arraigned on a six-count amended charge, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/644/2025. Dmitry is said to be at large.
According to the charge, the company, a Designated Non-Financial Business and Profession, DNFBP, and Its Director, Dmitry, failed to report in writing to the Special Control Unit against Money Laundering (SCUML) single transfers made from the company’s account between March and July 2024, as required under Section 11(1)(b) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The transfers include N147,515,050.00 in March 2024, N156,026,860.00 in April 2024, N121,425,200.00 in May 2024 and N127,338,190.00 in July 2024, all paid to UDATSON NIGERIA. Others are N15,124,950.00 paid to Urico Global Services in April 2024 and N15,000,000.00 paid to one Christopher Azogu in June 2024.
Count one reads: “That you, Aluminium Smelter Company Of Nigeria Limited, plc, a Designated Non-Financial Business and Profession (DNFBP) and Zavyalov Dmitry (at large) being Director of the said DNFBP sometime in March, 2024 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, failed to report in writing to the Special Control Unit against Money Laundering (SCUML), a single transfer of the sum of N147,515,050.00 (One Hundred and Forty Seven Million, Five Hundred and Fifteen Thousand, Fifty Naira) paid into UDATSON NIGERIA from account no. 1013726291 operated by Aluminium Smelter Company Of Nigeria Plc as specified under Section 11(1)(b) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Sections 11 (3), 19(2) (b), and 22 of the same Act.”
Count two: “That you, Aluminium Smelter Company Of Nigeria, plc, a. Designated Non-Financial Business and Profession (DNFBP) and Zavyalov Dmitry (at large) being Director of the said DNFBP sometime in April, 2024 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, failed to report in writing to the Special Control Unit against Money Laundering (SCUML), a single transfer of the sum of N156,026,860.00 (One Hundred and Fifty Six Million, Twenty Six Thousand, Eight Hundred and Sixty Naira) paid into UDATSON NIGERIA from account no. 1013726291 operated by Aluminium Smelter Company Of Nigeria Plc as specified under Section 11(1)(b) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Sections 11 (3), 19(2) (b), and 22 of the same Act.”
Count four of the charge sheet reads, “That you, Aluminium Smelter Company Of Nigeria Plc, a Designated Non-Financial Business and Profession and Zavyalov Dmitry (at large) being Director of the said DNFBP sometime in May, 2024 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, failed to report in writing to the Special Control Unit against Money Laundering (SCUML), a single transfer of the sum of N121,425,200.00 (One Hundred and Twenty One Million, Four Hundred and Twenty Five Thousand, Two Hundred Naira) paid into Udatson Nigeria from account no. 1013726291 operated by Aluminium Smelter Company Of Nigeria Plc as specified under section 11(1)(b) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under sections 11 (3), 19(2) (b), and 22 of the same Act.”
EFCC
Lead counsel to the EFCC, Ekele Iheanacho, SAN, told the court that the offences are punishable under sections 11(3), 19(2)(b) and 22 of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act.
When the charges were read, the company’s Acting Managing Director, Ime Monday Inyang, pleaded not guilty to all six counts on its behalf.
Counsel to the company had asked the court to quash the charges, claiming that the company was innocent of the charges.
In view of the plea, Justice Egwuatu adjourned the matter to January 27, 2027 for commencement of trial.
Dele Oyewale
Head, Media & Publicity
October 12, 2026
Eereporter.com
News
Taiwo Oyedele, Cardoso Meet World Bank President Banga on Nigeria’s Shift From Stability to Growth
Taiwo Oyedele, Cardoso Meet World Bank President Banga on Nigeria’s Shift From Stability to Growth
Bangkok, 12 October 2026. The Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, and the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Olayemi Cardoso, met the President of the World Bank Group, Ajay Banga, on Monday. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 2026 IMF and World Bank Group Annual Meetings in Bangkok, Thailand, where Oyedele leads Nigeria’s delegation.
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The meeting reviewed Nigeria’s reform progress and the next phase of its agenda: turning macroeconomic stability into faster growth, more private investment and stronger domestic revenues.
Banga commended the progress of Nigeria’s reforms. He pointed to the rise in private capital inflows from about $300 million in 2023 to nearly $6 billion in 2026, a twentyfold increase.
Oyedele highlighted the rising economic growth and noted that Nigeria’s tax-to-GDP ratio rose from about 7 per cent to 12.5 per cent over the same period. This gives the government more room to fund public investment without resorting to deficit monetisation.
The meeting discussed how Nigeria can make greater use of World Bank guarantee instruments. These guarantees can unlock financing for infrastructure and draw more private capital into the domestic market.
Power infrastructure and human capital were identified as priorities for continued public investment, given their importance to business competitiveness, productivity and job creation. The meeting also stressed the quality of public spending, so that each naira delivers measurable economic and social returns.
Taiwo Oyedele, Cardoso
The meeting is part of the Federal Government’s wider engagement with development partners to lock in reform gains and attract new investment. As Nigeria moves from stability to growth, the priority is to turn stronger fundamentals into productive investment, more jobs and better living standards for Nigerians.
Efe Ovuakporie
Head of Media
Federal Ministry of Finance
12 October 2026
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High Court Dismisses Aisha Achimugu’s Fundamental Rights Suit Against EFCC
Justice M.S. Liman of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has dismissed a fundamental human rights suit filed by Abuja-based businesswoman, Aisha Achimugu against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
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In the originating suit no : FHC/ABJ/CS/466/2026, Achimugu approached the court for determination of whether the defendant, EFCC’s action of searching her house and seizing her cars and jewelries and other items was within the powers of the Commission.
Achimugu also asked the court to enforce her rights to privacy, including an order of the court restraining the defendant from threatening or harassing and invading her private residence.
Part of her claim was for the court to award a N10,000,000,000 (Ten Billion Naira) damage against the EFCC for what she described as invasion of her privacy.
Delivering judgment in the suit on Monday, October 10, 2026, Justice Liman dismissed the suit and held that the defendant has the power to search the plaintiff’s property after receiving intelligence on the alleged criminal activities of the plaintiff. “EFCC has the right to search the residence,” he said.
The judge said that Achimugu and her legal representatives failed to show reason to warrant the kind of damage she demanded from the EFCC and equally dismissed the request for N10 billion damages.
On the whole, Justice Liman agreed that there was nothing that should have stopped the EFCC from carrying out its statutory duties. The court therefore held that the matter lacked merit and was dismissed because “ it is frivolous and it was brought in bad faith”. The damage she sought was also denied.
Federal High Court
Reacting to the judgment, counsel to the EFCC, Emenike Mgbemele said the judgment was in the interest of justice, adding that the suit was a ploy to waste the time of the court.
Dele Oyewale
Head, Media & Publicity
October 12, 2026
Eereporter.com
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