TDFresh concerns have emerged over the welfare of inmates at the Kuje Custodial Centre following the reported death of a Rwandan national, Benjamin Relasss, who was being held on trial in Nigeria.
According to a source within the facility who spoke to This Dawn, Relasss died after allegedly suffering from a medical condition that required specialized treatment outside the correctional centre.
The source claimed that despite a circular issued by the national headquarters of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), directing that inmates should not be denied medical treatment or referrals, access to healthcare at Kuje Custodial Centre remains problematic.
A copy of the circular, dated August 25, 2025, and signed on behalf of the Controller-General of Corrections, instructed custodial centres nationwide to ensure that no inmate is left untreated and that medical referrals should be promptly facilitated.
The directive further stated that expenses incurred in treating inmates could be refunded upon submission of the required documentation.
The source alleged that some sick inmates face difficulties obtaining referrals to external hospitals, despite the facility’s limited medical equipment and specialist care services.
Relasss, who had been in detention since 2023, was reportedly standing trial before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja in connection with a financial crime case.
According to the source, he had previously been denied bail because he is not a Nigerian citizen.
The inmate further alleged that healthcare access within the facility is influenced by an inmate’s financial capacity.
He claimed that inmates without adequate means often struggle to obtain urgent medical attention.
In addition to the allegations surrounding medical care, the source made several claims against the officer in charge of the facility and other officials, including allegations of extortion, corruption, and the trafficking of prohibited items within the custodial centre.
However, This Dawn could not independently verify these allegations at the time of filing this report.
The source also expressed concerns about the overall welfare and security situation within the facility.
He called on the Federal Government and relevant authorities to investigate conditions at the custodial centre.
Efforts to obtain official comments from the Nigerian Correctional Service regarding the death of Benjamin Relasss and the allegations contained in the report were unsuccessful as of press time.
Human rights advocates have consistently called for improved healthcare services in Nigeria’s correctional facilities, arguing that inmates retain the right to adequate medical care regardless of their legal status.
The death of the Rwandan detainee is likely to renew scrutiny of healthcare delivery and inmate welfare within custodial centres across the country, particularly in light of existing NCoS directives mandating prompt treatment and medical referrals for sick inmates.
This Dawn reports that the allegations made by the source remain unverified and that those accused have not publicly responded to the claims.
