Niger: Two inmates die at Minna correctional custody

Two inmates have reportedly died at Medium security correctional custody in Tunga, Minna, Niger State.

One of the deceased inmates, simply called Baba Sani was alleged to have lost his sight while in the facility.

He was awaiting trial over sexual abuse matter before he died on Monday, March 6, 2023.

The Guardian learnt that correctional officers had rushed him to Ibrahim Badamosi Babaginda (IBB) Specialist Hospital, Minna, after he suffered from an undisclosed ailment, from which he died on Monday.

It was learnt that Baba Sani was serving with the Niger State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), before he was relieved of his duty four years ago.

The Guardian also learnt that a 70-year old Mohammed Sani, who was convicted and sentenced to 30 years imprisonment, died while serving his jail term at the old Minna Correctional Centre, opposite Bako Kontagora Stadium, Minna

Sani was arrested by the police in Chanchaga Divisional Police Station for sexually abusing a 12-year- old girl in his tailoring shop located in Chanchaga, sometime in 2021 and arraigned before a Senior Magistrate Sahura Abdulkareem of Chief Magistrate’s Court, Anguwan Daji, Minna.

He pleaded guilty to one count charge brought against him under the child rights Act of Niger state.

Having pleaded guilty to the charge, the prosecutor then requested the presiding senior Magistrate to convict him summarily in accordance to section 157 of the criminal procedure Code (CPC).