35 correctional inmates to take WAEC exams

To improve conditions of inmates and their educational potential during rehabilitation, 35 inmates of the Suleja Custodial Centre are to sit for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WAEC) next year, with hopes of securing brighter future post-incarceration.

The Legal Aid Council of Nigeria (LACoN), led by head of the decongestion unit, Oliver Chukwuma, made  this known following a recent visit to the facility.

The tour was part of LACoN’s ongoing mission to decongest correctional centres, and provide essential legal assistance to inmates awaiting trial.

According to a statement by LACoN’s Press Officer, Amaka Agbaih, the council noted the inspiring shift among inmates towards education.

“Thirty-five inmates are registered for both WAEC and the National Examinations Council (NECO) exams,” the statement revealed, though it added that NECO enrolment had fallen to 25 this year due to funding constraints.

LACoN also highlighted the commitment of several inmates to higher education. Through the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), 30 inmates have embarked on tertiary education programmes.

However, ongoing renovations at Suleja have temporarily transferred these students to Kuje Custodial Centre.Chukwuma and his team seized the opportunity to interview 32 awaiting-trial inmates, who lack legal representation, offering counsel and pledging to follow up on their cases in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and surrounding courts.

Chukwuma lauded the inmates’ resolve to pursue education despite limited resources, describing it as a “step toward a brighter future.”

He underscored the potential benefits of virtual court hearings, which he said, could reduce both overcrowding and operational costs across Nigeria’s correctional facilities.

The Controller of Suleja Custodial Centre, Ibrahim Yau, commended LACoN’s efforts and acknowledged the critical role of NGOs and private individuals, who have supported the facility.

Originally designed for 250 inmates, the centre now accommodates over 400, with 168 inmates awaiting trial. Yau expressed concern over the daily feeding allowance, which he described as inadequate for providing nutritious meals.

Despite these challenges, Yau noted that recent security upgrades at Suleja, including a reinforced perimeter fence and a new security scanner, have enhanced safety for both staff and inmates.