The Vanguard For Truth Foundation, a civic organization, has expressed concern about the disparity in the allocated and actual daily feeding allowance for inmates in Nigerian prisons. They claim inmates only receive N200 per day, significantly lower than the N750 officially budgeted by the government.
In a statement signed by its Director General, Alhaji Yussuf Ibrahim released on Thursday, the group decried the high levels of corruption within the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS). They allege that various middlemen facilitate kickbacks, siphoning off funds meant for inmate nutrition.
This revelation follows statements made by NCoS Controller General, Haliru Nababa, during the 2024 budget defense at the Nigerian Senate. While advocating for an increase in the daily feeding allowance to N3,000, Nababa confirmed the current allocation of N750 per inmate, divided into three meals of N250 each.
However, the Vanguard For Truth Foundation asserts that this figure is purely theoretical. In their statement, titled “Danger Looms As Nigerian Inmates Are Fed With N200 Daily In Reality,” they detail a complex web of corruption involving contracts and kickbacks.
Their investigation reveals how NCoS awards monthly feeding contracts to companies through political influence or high-ranking officers. These companies then engage in a process of selling and sub-contracting the contracts, progressively reducing the allocated funds per inmate.
It Is Not True, NCoS Fumes. Insists on N750 as Inmate Daily Feeding Allowance
However, the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has strongly denied allegations made by a group claiming inmates receive only N200 per day for food, instead of the allocated N750. In a statement issued on Thursday, January 4, NCoS Public Relations Officer Abubakar Umar labeled the report as “false, misleading, and mischievous.”
The statement emphasizes that the daily feeding allowance for inmates is publicly accessible information. Vendors are paid the approved amount upon completing their deliveries, and contract details are transparently available for interested parties to apply under the Public Procurement Act of 2007.
“This report is false, misleading, and mischievous in all ramifications. For the avoidance of doubt, the public may wish to note that feeding allowance for inmates in Nigeria is in the public domain, and vendors are paid the approved amount upon completion of supply.
“Contract for ration supply is usually made public, and the conditions clearly stated for interested vendors to apply in line with the Public Procurement Act 2007,” the statement reads.
NCoS further clarifies that each custodial center has a designated ration committee responsible for quality assurance throughout the process, from supply acquisition to meal preparation and distribution. This ensures inmates receive meals within the approved budget.
NCoS concludes by urging the public to disregard the “false report” and reaffirms its commitment, under the leadership of Controller-General of Corrections Haliru Nababa, to prioritizing the well-being of inmates.
