Obi advocates relocation of Awka, Onitsha prisons

August 21, 2012 by Emmanuel Obe, Awka
Anambra State Governor Peter Obi | credits:

Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State has called for the relocation of the prisons in Awka and Onitsha from the heart of the cities.

Obi made the call on Monday when he inspected the prisons with the Minister of Interior, Mr. Abba Moro.

The governor said the current conditions of prisons in the state were totally unacceptable and called for quick reforms to make them meet acceptable standards.

He said apart from the parlous state of the prisons, the fact that a lot of the people in prison were being unjustly held was worrisome.

He added that some people had been in prison custody for years without going to court. He also said it was evident some people were still being held because they did not have people to speak for them.

He said though prison is on the exclusive list, he would seek collaboration with the Federal Government on how to reform the prison system for it to serve its reformatory role properly.

Moro, who toed the same line, described the prisons as colonial relics which needed to be relocated and reconstructed.

The governor had, during Moro’s courtesy visit to him at the Governor’s Lodge, commended the minister for extending visas to foreigners coming to Nigeria to five and 10 years.

He said it would guarantee stability among foreign investors in the country.

via Punch