EXCLUSIVE(SAHARA REPORTERS): Kuje Prison Under Fire After Rwandan Inmate Dies Due To Alleged Medical Neglect

A disturbing incident has come to light at the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja, where a Rwandan national, Benjamin Relasss, lost his life while awaiting trial. According to sources close to the matter, Relasss passed away on Tuesday morning, with allegations of medical neglect and misconduct within the facility coming to the forefront. It is reported that Relasss had been detained since 2023, after his bail application was denied due to his non-Nigerian citizenship. The deceased was facing a financial-related case before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja. Sources have revealed that inmates at the Kuje facility often face significant challenges in accessing specialised medical care outside the prison, with some officials allegedly demanding large sums of money before approving referrals for treatment at external hospitals. Despite the correctional centre's supposed lack of adequate medical equipment and specialist personnel, inmates requiring external treatment sometimes struggle to obtain timely referrals. A source stated, 'Benjamin Relasss, a Rwandan citizen died inside Kuje Prison this morning (Tuesday) due to outright neglect and care by an overambitious and money mongering officer in the facility.' The source further alleged, 'The officer demands huge cash from inmates who are sick before allowing the patient to be recommended to hospitals outside because the Kuje facility lacks adequate equipment and medical specialists.' Another source, who chose to remain anonymous, corroborated these claims, stating, 'Yes, the Rwandan is dead. At Kuje prison, they request money before any sick person is taken to the hospital.' The source added, 'In fact, there is another inmate who is critically ill and currently at the prison clinic. They are allegedly demanding money before writing to the Chief Judge because he has only five months left on his sentence. Because there is no money, he is still lying in the clinic.' Efforts to obtain a response from the Nigerian Correctional Service regarding the allegations and the circumstances surrounding Relasss' death were unsuccessful, as the National Spokesperson, Chief Superintendent of Corrections (CSC) Jane Osuji, did not respond to phone calls or a text message sent to her.