The Federal Government of Nigeria, under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, has suspended key officers at Kirikiri Maximum and Minimum Custodial Centres in Lagos. This decision follows serious allegations involving popular Nigerian crossdresser Idris Okuneye, better known as Bobrisky.
Bobrisky was sentenced to six months in prison for violating Nigeria’s currency laws. The offense was related to the misuse of the Nigerian Naira, an act that earned him a jail sentence at Kirikiri prison. However, a viral audio clip has sparked controversy, suggesting that Bobrisky was not held in the correctional facility as expected.
According to the audio leak, Bobrisky was allegedly kept in a private apartment outside the prison premises instead of being lodged in the correctional facility during his sentence. This audio caused a public outcry, with many Nigerians questioning the integrity of the prison system and calling for accountability from those in charge.
In reaction to these allegations, Ja’afaru Ahmed, Secretary of the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB), announced the suspension of several senior prison officers. The suspension is aimed at allowing for a comprehensive investigation into the claims that Bobrisky received special treatment while serving his prison sentence.
Ahmed released an official statement on Thursday, September 26, explaining that the officers’ suspension would facilitate an unbiased investigation. He also assured the public that the results of the inquiry would be made available once the investigation is completed.
The suspended officers are high-ranking officials responsible for overseeing the correctional centers where Bobrisky was reportedly held. These officers include:
Michael Anugwa, Deputy Controller of Corrections (DCC), in charge of the Medium Security Custodial Centre (MSCC), Kirikiri, Lagos.
Sikiru Adekunle, Deputy Controller of Corrections (DCC), responsible for the Maximum Security Custodial Centre (MSCC), Kirikiri, Lagos.
Apart from the allegations surrounding Bobrisky, the government has taken action in other cases of misconduct within the correctional system. For instance, ASC II Ogbule Samuel Obinna, an officer from the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Afikpo, Ebonyi State, was suspended for allegedly allowing a convicted inmate to leave the custodial center and go to an undisclosed location.
In a separate case, Iloafonsi Kevin Ikechukwu, Deputy Controller of Corrections (DCC) at the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Kuje, Abuja, was also suspended for allegedly receiving money on behalf of an inmate.
The allegations against the prison officials have reignited discussions about corruption and favoritism in Nigeria’s correctional system. Many Nigerians believe that the suspension of these officers is a step in the right direction, as it shows the government’s willingness to address these concerns.
The Tinubu administration has been vocal about its commitment to reforming the country’s justice and correctional systems. The government is under pressure to ensure that prison facilities follow the law strictly, and that no inmate, regardless of status or influence, receives preferential treatment.
As the investigation proceeds, the public awaits the outcome of the inquiry into these allegations. The government has promised transparency in the process and has made it clear that any officer found guilty of misconduct will face appropriate disciplinary action.
This suspension sends a message to other officers within the Nigerian correctional system that no one is above the law. The authorities will not tolerate any actions that undermine the credibility and integrity of the country’s legal institutions.
The suspension of these officers reflects the government’s commitment to ensuring that the Nigerian prison system is run fairly and in line with the law. As the investigation continues, many are watching to see if this will lead to meaningful reform within the correctional facilities across the country.
For now, the government has assured Nigerians that it is taking these allegations seriously and will make the investigation findings public. The outcome of this case could have lasting implications for how justice is administered in Nigeria’s correctional system, particularly when it involves high-profile individuals like Bobrisky.
