Senate Confirms Nwakuche as NCS Boss, Urges End Jail Breaks

The Senate yesterday confirmed the appointment of Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche as the Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), urging him to immediately halt jailbreaks across the prisons in Nigeria.

The confirmation of Nwakuche by the Senate was sequel to the presentation and consideration of a report by the Senate Committee on Interior, chaired by Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North).

In his report during plenary, Senator Oshiomhole said, “The Senate has received and considered the report of the Committee on Interior on the confirmation of the nomination of Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche, for appointment as Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS).

“While conducting the screening, we checked the credentials and capacity of the nominee to be appointed as Controller-General of NCoS and we found the nominee as one with an impeccable character; full of exposure, experience, intellectual energy, drive and worthy of the appointment.

“The nominee has held various positions in the service and has benefited from training and re-training as an officer of the NCoS. There was no petition against the nominee who also displayed a great deal of intellect during the screening exercise.”

In his remarks, Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, urged Nwakuche to use his position to curb jailbreaks across the country, emphasising that he was assuming office at a challenging time.

“To whom much is given, much is expected. I hope that his appointment will bring an end to jailbreaks in Nigeria,” he said.

Our Correspondent reports that President Bola Tinubu had on Tuesday last week submitted Nwakuche’s nomination to the Senate for consideration and confirmation.

In the letter read by Akpabio during plenary last week, Tinubu said: “In compliance with Section 3(1) (b) of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) Act, 2019, I am pleased to present, for confirmation by the Senate, the appointment of Mr. Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche as Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS).

“While I hope that the Senate will consider this request in the usual expeditious manner, please accept, Distinguished Senate President, the assurances of my highest consideration.”

After reading the letter, Akpabio had referred the nomination to the Senate Committee on Interior for further legislative work, with a directive to report back within one week.