Why Woman Who Gave Birth In Prison Is Still Remanded – Prison Service

The Ondo State Command of the Nigerian Correctional Service has reacted to the case of a woman who had a child in prison following her arrest by the police last year for allegedly participating in EndSARS protest.

Naija News understands that Kemisola Ogunniyi was arrested in Akure and has been imprisoned since October 24, 2020, while going to a pharmacy to buy drugs for her mother.

She was arrested by the police who said she was one of the participants of the #EndSARS protest in the state.

The police claimed she was one of the #EndSARS protesters who burnt the office of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the state last year, about eight months ago.

But in a statement by the command’s spokesman, Babatunde Ogundare, the service said Ogunniyi was remanded on the orders of the court.

Ogundare added that the suspect was remanded for conspiracy, arson, riotous assembly, stealing, and malicious damage.

It said, “The lady in question was remanded in the female custodial facility by a court of competent jurisdiction on the 24th November, 2020, for conspiracy, arson, riotous assembly, stealing, and malicious damage and the matter was subsequently adjourned to 8th December, 2020 for hearing, and further adjourned to 9th March, 2021.

“She was 2 months pregnant when she was remanded in the facility and all necessary medical cares and legal attention needed was accorded accordingly within the ambit of the operational orders of the service. Her families and legal representatives were given access to visit her as well.

“She fell into labour on Tuesday 15th June, 2021, and she was immediately moved to the Ondo state basic health centre for delivery and she delivered her baby on the 16th June, 2021 around noon.

“She was hale and hearty with the baby and subsequently discharged and was taken back to the facility for further care.

“It is very expedient for the general public to know that the Nigeria Correctional Service will not unlawfully hold down any inmate without the order of court and the need to disregard the viral pictures and deceitful information emanating in the social media in other to discredit the service.

“While assuring the public of the commitment of officers and men of the command to the care and support for Inmates in custody, the state controller Barr. Suanu D Kinane wishes to state that the service is community friendly and will not act contrary to the operational orders and constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria.

“She is hale and hearty with her baby in the facility pending the determination of her case before the court of competent jurisdiction.”