For Nigerians who may have been victims, either directly or indirectly, of the prevalent scourge of kidnapping for ransom, the news that Chiemeka Arinze, an associate of Chukwudimeme Onwuamadike, alias Evans, the alleged kidnap kingpin, has died in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Services, may be seen as comeuppance. After all, if the allegations against Evans and his co-accused were proven before the court, they would be held responsible for many deaths and traumatic experiences suffered by innocent Nigerians.

Yet, despite the ill-feelings, we need to interrogate the circumstances surrounding the death of Arinze in the custody of the correctional services, so as to forestall similar fate for other persons in custody. More so, our constitution deems an accused person innocent, until proven guilty in a court of law, constituted in such a manner as to secure its independence and impartiality. And even when convicted and sentenced to death, the convict can only be executed in accordance with the pronouncement of the court.

So, it is important to find out what caused the death of the accused person in the custody of the correctional centre. The media report is that he died as a result of cardiopulmonary arrest, and was suffering from complicated advanced HIV. We note that while HIV is a deadly disease, there are medications which, if applied prudently, could save the afflicted from death. So, the relevant authorities need to find out whether the deceased was availed of medical treatment while in custody. If he was not, what were the reasons for such unlawful step?

If he was not given medical attention early enough, who was responsible for such lapse. Furthermore, if the correctional services had no facility or the procedure to avail him of medical attention, there is need to change such a narrative, in the interest of the those still in custody or those who may still go there. Of course, we are aware that secondary and tertiary medical facilities are grossly insufficient even for free private citizens, but if a person is kept in custody by the state, he must be availed of basic medical needs because, unlike free citizens, he has no access to other means of treatment, even if he can afford it.

We are aware that funding remains a major challenge for many organisations of government, and the correctional services cannot be an exception. Perhaps, it is time to tinker with the ownership structure of the centres. Considering the paucity of funds, enabling laws should be put in place to entitle states to build their own correctional centres, where those charged with state offences or sentenced to imprisonment by state courts would be remanded. This, in a sense, is also a way of advancing the cause of federalism as well as addressing the problem of overcrowding in our correctional centres. As a matter of fact, there is nothing wrong if we begin to look toward private ownership of correctional centres as is the case in some other countries.

We have had too many issues with our correctional centres these days, including several jailbreaks, that we have to start reviewing the present state of things there. Definitely, the prevailing circumstance where the Federal Government owns all the correctional centres is not helpful. It is just like its involvement in some other aspects of our lives, like the police, etc, which has not been particularly helpful.

By the death of Arinze in custody, the state, the victim/s and even the deceased have been robbed of the opportunity to be handed justice in accordance with the law. Moreover, if indeed the accused was into the business of kidnapping, the state might have benefitted some privileged information useful in dealing with the challenge. Now, that opportunity is lost. Also, the opportunity to determine whether the accused was guilty as charged or not has been lost forever, and we believe all of the three parties would not be satisfied as things turned out. We also note that if justice had come to the deceased early enough, perhaps he would not have died of the disease.

It is important to emphasise that our correctional centres are regrettably overcrowded, and are breeding grounds for diseases. We consider it unconscionable that those who are accused even of minor offences are left to rot in the centres for years, sometimes longer than the maximum term of imprisonment for such offences. We reiterate our advocacy that federal and state officials work out plans to decongest our correctional centres. The death of Chiemeka Arinze in custody, should serve as a wake-up call.

Update news