The Nigerian Federal Government has taken decisive action by suspending several officers from the Nigeria Correctional Service.
This comes after allegations surfaced regarding cross-dresser Idris Okuneye, also known as Bobrisky, who was reportedly given special treatment while serving a six-month prison sentence.
The situation arose from an audio leak that suggested Bobrisky had access to a private apartment outside the prison facility, raising serious concerns about the conduct of the prison officials involved.
Ja’afaru Ahmed, the Secretary of the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB), made the announcement on Thursday in Abuja.
He stated that the suspensions were necessary to facilitate a thorough investigation into the matter. The investigation was initiated by the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who emphasized the importance of accountability within the correctional system.
In his official statement, Ahmed detailed the officers who have been suspended due to the allegations. The suspended officials include Michael Anugwa, Deputy Controller of Corrections (DCC), who was in charge of the Medium Security Custodial Centre (MSCC) in Kirikiri, Lagos.
Also suspended is Sikiru Adekunle, another Deputy Controller of Corrections overseeing the Maximum Security Custodial Centre at the same location. Additionally, the board announced the suspension of ASC II Ogbule Samuel Obinna, who served at the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Afikpo, Ebonyi State.
Obinna is accused of allegedly escorting a convicted inmate to an unauthorized location outside the facility. Furthermore, Iloafonsi Kevin Ikechukwu, another Deputy Controller of Corrections from the Kuje, Abuja facility, has also been suspended for reportedly accepting money on behalf of an inmate.
