The Edo Command of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) says it has commenced the full implementation of non-custodial sentencing in the state.
Aminu Suleman, Public Relations Officer (PRO) for the command said this in a statement on Thursday.
Suleman said that the commencement followed the sentencing of violators of the Edo Government directive on Social Distancing, compulsory use of nose masks and other instructions.
He said the violators were sentenced to carry out Community services by Mobile courts constituted by the state government.
He added that the Officer In charge of the Non-Custodial Service in the state command, Joy Obayagbona, stated that the NCoS Act 2019 was being complied with as it concerns the Non-Custodial measures.
He stated that Obayagbona had commended the Edo Government, represented by the State Commissioner of Justice, Prof. Yinka Omorogbe and the Edo Chief Judge, Justice Ester Edigin for setting up the Mobile Courts with consideration to sentencing offenders to non-Custodial tasks rather than sending them on remand at the already congested Custodial Centres.
He explained that the Controller of Corrections in Edo, Mr Joseph Usendiah, had ensured the implementation of the Act and thanked him for his support.
“She also appreciated the Controller General of Corrections Ja’afaru Ahmed for ensuring that the Correctional Service has a system on ground to handle the present development.
“She advised the general public, particularly residents of the state, to comply with government directives in order to curtail and bring to an end the rampaging COVID-19 pandemic.
“Reports available to this office indicates that some persons have completed their tasks while others are still ongoing, including those sentenced today (Thursday)”, Suleman quoted.
