The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Kano State Command, has clarified that the recent transfer of inmate, Sheikh Abduljabbar Kabara, to another custodial centre under federal jurisdiction was an administrative procedure in line with the service’s operational guidelines.
The cleric was held at the Kurmawa prison in Kano city but was reportedly transferred to Kuje prison in Abuja on Tuesday.
This is contained in a statement issued on Wednesday in Kano by the command’s Public Relations Officer, CSC Musbahu Lawan Kofar Nassarawa.
He explained that the movement of an inmate from one correctional facility to another, depending on the security category, falls within the constitutional mandate of the Service.
“According to the Nigerian Correctional Service Act, 2019, the Service is empowered to manage inmates across various custodial facilities nationwide,” he said.
Lawan-Kofar Nassarawa said that inmate transfers were usually guided by considerations such as security, inmate classification, availability of facilities, and rehabilitation needs.
He assured that the welfare and legal rights of Abduljabbar remained fully protected under the law.
“The transfer does not in any way affect the inmate’s legal status, right of appeal, or access to legal representation,” he added.
The spokesman also quoted the Controller of Corrections in the state, Mr Ado Inuwa, as reaffirming the service’s commitment to upholding its core mandate of safe custody, reformation, rehabilitation, and reintegration of offenders for public safety and national security.
NAN recalls that an Upper Shari’a Court sitting in Kano on Dec. 15, 2022, presided over by Malam Ibrahim Sarki-Yola, sentenced Abduljabbar to death by hanging for blasphemy.
The cleric was arraigned by the Kano State Government on a four-count charge bordering on blasphemous comments against Prophet Muhammad(PBUH) on Aug.10, Oct.25 and Dec.20, 2019.
