From Ahmed Abubakar, Dutse
An inmate, identified as Damina Jauro Audu, has died at Garu satellite prison in Dutse, the Jigawa state capital as a result of over-bearing condition caused by the current intensive hot weather, coupled with congestion in the prison.
This was contained in a press statement issued, signed and made available to Peoples Daily yesterday, by the Chairman Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Dutse branch, Barrister Adamu Turaki Mohammed in Dutse.
The statement stated that the association discovered the inmate’s death during a prison visit by the state’s Chief Judge, Justice Aminu Sabo Ringim, Chairman Nigerian Bar Association and some other judiciary staff.
Barrister Adamu Turaki Mohammed explained that the current situation they met at the Garu prison is not fit for humans due to overcrowding within the prison.
According to the statement, “The prison, which was initially built to accommodate no more than 50 inmates, is at the moment accommodating over 160 inmates; coupled with the current intensive heat being observed across the northern parts of the country”.
It added that “there is no doubt that the severe heat situation must have led to the untimely death of one Audu”.
“It is therefore, against the background of this situation that the Bar is calling on the minister of interior, Mr. Abba Moro and Comptroller-General of the Prison Service to intervene, with the view to address further experience of similar situation”, it further stated “It is our view that the urgent intervention of the interior minister, by way of commissioning and utilising the new satellite prison, built by the state government in Kiyawa local government area, would help in ameliorating the precarious condition of the inmates in Garu prison, considering the weather condition at present, which may lead to the further deaths if not checked”, it emphasised.
The NBA therefore, called on the authority concerned to ensure the de-congestion of the prison by relocating 110 inmates from Garu without further delay.
