ABUJA: The Senate has officially confirmed Sylvester Nwakuche as the new Controller General of the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS), following his appointment by President Bola Tinubu on December 13, 2024.
This appointment comes after the retirement of Haliru Nababa, who served in the role prior to Nwakuche.
The confirmation was made after the e Senate Committee on Interior, led by Senator Adams Oshiomhole, presented its report for consideration. During plenary on Tuesday, lawmakers unanimously adopted the committee’s recommendation, formally approving Nwakuche’s appointment and entrusting him with the critical leadership of the NCoS.
In his remarks during the confirmation, Senate President Senator Godswill Akpabio expressed confidence in Nwakuche’s ability to bring significant reforms to the country’s correctional system.
Akpabio specifically charged Nwakuche with the vital task of securing correctional facilities nationwide and addressing the ongoing problem of jailbreaks, which have become a serious challenge for the country.
Read also:
- Senate Confirms Seven New Ministerial Appointments
- Shettima Yerima Reflects on Northern Disappointment with Tinubu’s Presidency, Urges Patience
The Senate President also expressed hope that under Nwakuche’s leadership, the era of frequent jailbreaks and escapes from correctional facilities would come to an end. His call for a more secure and reformed correctional system comes in the wake of a recent jailbreak incident.
On Monday, 12 inmates escaped from the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Koton Karfe, Kogi State, in the early hours of the morning, resulting in the tragic death of one correctional officer.
With this confirmation, Nwakuche is now tasked with overseeing a major overhaul of Nigeria’s correctional institutions, improving their security, infrastructure, and overall management.
His appointment is seen as a crucial step in tackling the persistent issues facing the NCoS and restoring public confidence in the country’s prison system.
