The Nigerian Prisons Service on Monday assured that chieftain of the Movement or the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), Mr. Charles Okah, and other inmates in Kuje Maximum Prisons, are in safe custody.

Controller of Prisons, Federal Capital Territory Command (FCT), Sylvester Nwakuche, also noted that the Service has accorded medical attention of inmates top priority.

He was reacting in a statement in Abuja to reports in a section of the media that the FCT Command has shield away from its obligation of taking Charles Okah to receive medical attention.

He said: “The command wishes to state that it has never relented in its duty towards Charles Okah or any other inmates concerning their health or otherwise.”

Nwakuche said he has always ensured that inmates under his command gets adequate medical attention.

He added that Kuje Prison has a standard hospital within the yard which is presently undergoing massive facility upgrade.

“In addition, the FCT command has just received from the Controller General of Prisons Ahmed Ja’afaru some appreciable consignment of drugs and medical equipment and these have helped in limiting the frequent trips of our inmates to hospital as we have qualified medical personnel to attend to them.

“The command also maintains a high level working relationship with the National Hospital and the University Teaching Hospital among other government hospitals in cases of referrals and we do not hesitate to refer cases that are beyond our medical team.

“The prisoner in question, Charles Okah has severally been taken to the National Hospital, the last date being on the 5th of December, 2017 for a case of dislodged dental crown and was treated accordingly.

“The Command wishes to state that it has the capacity to respond promptly to health needs of its prisoners.

“Furthermore, neither has Charles Okah nor any other prisoner in the facility complained of lack of medical attention in recent times.

“The command further reiterates and assures the general public that Kuje prison is safe and the inmates are in good health,” the statement said.

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