– A group known as Behind Bars Intervention, has raised an alarm over the state of the Ogwashi Uku prison in Delta state
– The group said many of the prison inmates are dying due to worsening health conditions within the prison yard
– They are seeking the intervention of the federal government to shut down the prison
A group known as Behind Bars Intervention, has raised an alarm over the state of the Ogwashi Uku prison in Delta state, which they say has resulted to the death of one inmate, Smart Ohuzu.
In a statement posted on Facebook, the group’s leader, Prince Gwamnishu Harrison, who is an ex-awaiting trial prisoner, alleged that the Late Ohuzu died due to negligence by the prison authorities.
Harrison stated that the deceased had just remanded in the prison by a Delta state magistrate court.
A prisoner in Ogwashi Uku prison in Delta state. Photo credit: Behind Bars Intervention
He narrated: “Two months he has been sick. Fellow inmates have been begging the prison authorities to please take Smart Ohuzu to the hospital.
“Yesterday morning, Smart Ohuzu collapsed and prison authorities called on the cell leader to gather N5,000 from cell mates so they can transport him to Ogwashi Uku General Hospital.
“The poor prisoners contributed money. Some contributed 10naira, some 50naira and they were able to contribute 3,500naira. The money was remaining 1,500naira. These got prison officers angry and refused to take Smart Ohuzu to hospital.
“Inmates who saw Smart Ohuzu on the floor struggling, rush back to the cell and one inmate gave out the 1,500naira to enable officers take Smart Ohuzu to the hospital.
“Smart Ohuzu was rushed to Ogwashi Uku General Hospital after they have collected the money contributed. Getting to the hospital, the Doctors treated him and referred them to Federal Medical Center or Okwe General Hospital.”
He said the doctors at the hospital complained that they will stop accepting inmates from Ogwashi Uku Prison, inmates are always brought in at the point of death.
He also alleged that the prison officers ignored the hospital’s recommendation for the Late Ohuzu to be transferred to another hospital, but instead took him back to the prison yard.
“Smart Ohuzu was then chained and left in the cold, struggled and died with tears in his eyes.
“Smart Ohuzu died three hours after he was forcefully brought back into the prison yard. The inmates can’t complain, if they do, they either change their cell or punish them,” he added.
The group called on the minister of interior, Abdulrahman Dambazau and the Controller General of Prisons, Ja’afaru Ahmed to resign or build health centers in the prison.
NPS boss, Ja’afaru Ahmed called out by the group for abandoning prison inmates to their fate
The also demanded that the prison authorities should make available to the general public the names of all awaiting trial prisoners that died in custody from 2013 till date.
They alleged that close to 10,000 have died, adding that they will be forced to publish their names if the government do not act fast.
They lamented the state of facilities in the prison and decried the corruption that goes on inside the prison yard.
They further recommended that the prison authorities commence the process of decongesting its facilities.
They also demanded that a health emergency be declared in prisons now with immediate effect, adding that they will gather 4,250 families of those in Delta Prison for a nationwide protest if their demands are not met.
Source: Zenithblog.com
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