NCoS dismisses controller, two others for trafficking illegal items, forgery

The Nigerian Correctional Service has dismissed three personnel, including a Controller of Corrections, for various forms of misconduct.

The action was part of a broader effort to maintain discipline and professionalism within the service.

The dismissal was contained in a statement signed by the NCoS spokesperson, Abubakar Umar on Thursday.

Umar noted that in a recent review by the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire, and Immigration Services Board, cases of unprofessional conduct, including gross negligence of duty, absence without leave, trafficking in illicit items, general inefficiency and falsification of results were examined.

The review resulted in the dismissal of the three personnel and the acquittal of twenty others who were previously accused of various offences.

Additionally, one officer who had been suspended was reinstated.

The board also mandated the compulsory retirement of three personnel, demoted six and issued warnings to 13 others.

“The Nigerian Correctional Service, in a bid to maintain a high standard of discipline and professionalism, has reviewed various cases of unprofessional conducts, wrongdoings, improper behaviours and serious misconducts of erring personnel, resulting in the dismissal of three personnel, including a Controller of Corrections, for various misconducts such as gross negligence of duty, absence without leave, trafficking in illicit items, general inefficiency, falsification of results, etc.,” he said.

Umar noted that the sanctions aligned with the zero-tolerance policy on staff misconduct, a cardinal mantra of the Controller-General of Corrections, Haliru Nababa; aimed at ridding the Service of unscrupulous elements and misfits.

The initiative seeks to enhance professionalism and entrench discipline, ethics, and excellence among its operatives.

The Service reassures the public of its commitment to securing all custodial and non-custodial facilities and adhering to international best practices in correctional management.

On October 18, 2024, the NCoS dismissed two officers and sanctioned 35 others for misconduct.