Indications
emerged yesterday that the fundamental rights and dignity of female
inmates at the Owerri Prison are now being violated following
allegations that they are subjected to sexual abuses, which sometimes
allegedly result to unwanted pregnancies.
But the allegation was denied by the Prison authority, which described it as untrue and malicious.
But the allegation was denied by the Prison authority, which described it as untrue and malicious.
However, it was gathered that some of the female inmates, who were not
pregnant as at the time they were convicted, have been delivered of
babies. But prison sources said that some of the female convicts were
pregnant before they were imprisoned.
A source, who did not want her name mentioned, alleged that some of the
female inmates, especially those who are still awaiting trial, “buy”
their freedom to move about with sexual gratification with some “corrupt
prison officials”, who thereafter allow them to access privileged
comforts denied other.
The source said: “The babies delivered by these inmates are either
illegally adopted or outright sold to operators of baby factories. This
has been going on for a long time and the authorities are not ready to
check the menace,” asking: “How else the situation could be explained,
that a convict could be impregnated without the knowledge of the prison
officials? It is either that they are allowing their spouses to come and
sleep with them in the prison or they are being impregnated by those
who control them.”
When contacted, the prison’s Public Relations Officer, Mr. James Madugba, said that the allegation could not be true.
Madugba said: “I am speaking authoritatively, it is impossible to
penetrate the female cell, which is constructed in such a way that it
will be difficult for the female inmates to mingle with their male
counterparts.
“Female inmates are kept in a different building with its own big gate
guarded by female prison officials who are instructed not to allow male
officials into the building.
“Female inmates who were pregnant when they enter the cell are given
adequate care. When time of delivery comes, we take them to the Federal
Medical Centre where they deliver their children, after which they
return to prison with their babies.
“Sexual abuse does not arise, it is simply not possible. You cannot even
see the female cell from the open compound; it is entirely segregated
from other parts of the prison.
“How can the spouse sleep with their convicted wives when they are not
given the opportunity to be alone? When they visit, there are female
Prison officials to listen to their discussions and the cell is finally
closed by 6:0pm to visitors.”
_0.JPG)
