Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
A chilling revelation has emerged from the Eket Medium Security Correctional Centre in Akwa Ibom State, where an officer-in-charge has alleged that the facility is being used as a tool for punishment against government critics, with inmates languishing for years without trial. The officer, Chief Superintendent of Corrections Samuel Bassey, made the remarks during a visit by the Eket Federal Constituency Media Professionals (EFCMP) on Tuesday, September 1, 2026. He stated that over 46 awaiting-trial inmates are stranded at the facility because there are no operational vehicles to transport them to court.
The officer painted a grim picture of systemic neglect. He disclosed that the centre lacks functional escort vehicles, forcing more than 40 inmates to remain in custody indefinitely. "Some of the inmates were brought in from Nsit Ubium Local Government Area as far back as 2023 but have never appeared in court once because there are no vehicles to transport them," Bassey said. He queried how justice could be dispensed when inmates are not presented before the courts. The situation is compounded by the fact that the facility's jurisdiction covers nine local government areas with 18 courts.
The infrastructure at the centre is in a state of disrepair. According to reports, some correctional personnel at the facility are housed in mud buildings constructed as far back as the early 1970s. "Our staff quarters are in a terrible state. Some of our personnel live in mud houses built in the 1970s. When it rains, the roofs leak and the walls weaken," Bassey lamented. The heavy rains in the southern part of the country have caused several roofs in the facility to wear out, exposing inmates to harsh weather conditions.
Sources inside the facility revealed that at least 49 inmates have spent more than a decade awaiting trial. Some inmates were reportedly arrested over relatively minor offences, while others were detained in connection with activism. The prolonged detention means that people who have not been convicted of the offences for which they were arrested have spent years behind bars. The problem is compounded by missing case files and the inability of the police and Director of Public Prosecution to fast-track cases.
The Officer-in-Charge also raised concerns over the state of infrastructure, saying the last vehicle donated to the centre was during the administration of former Governor Godswill Akpabio. He appealed to the government at all levels, corporate organisations, NGOs and philanthropists to come to their aid. The EFCMP has announced plans to partner with the centre to offer free legal services to inmates without representation. The Chief Judge of Akwa Ibom State, Justice Ekaete Fabian-Obot, has repeatedly raised concerns about prolonged detention, describing it as unconstitutional to keep suspects in custody for prolonged periods without trial. In March 2026, she released eight inmates from Eket during a jail-delivery exercise. The condition of the Eket facility adds another dimension to the problem of a justice system that is failing the most vulnerable.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters News | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments