Nigerian Correctional Service Officers Suspended Amid Corruption Allegations

The Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board has suspended two senior officers of the Nigerian Correctional Service due to allegations of corruption and misconduct.

The suspensions follow a voice note shared by Martins Otse, aka VeryDarkMan, where Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, claimed his godfather and the Controller General arranged for him to serve his six-month sentence in a private apartment after being convicted for abuse of naira notes in April.

According to Ja’afaru Ahmed, secretary of the board, the suspended officers are Michael Anugwa and Sikiru Adekunle, Deputy Controllers of Corrections at the Kirikiri Medium Custodial Centre in Lagos.

The board’s memo stated that the suspensions were made “following the viral video trending on social media on alleged infractions by Officers of the Nigerian Correctional Service relating to Mr. Idris Okuneye.” The memo reads, “Following the viral video trending on social media on alleged infractions by Officers of the Nigerian Correctional Service relating to Mr. Idris Okuneye, widely known as Bobrisky, the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board has suspended forthwith the following Senior Officers of the Service.”

Additionally, two other officers were suspended for related infractions. Ogbule Obinna was suspended for accompanying an inmate out of the facility, while Iloafonsi Kevin Ikechukwu was suspended for allegedly receiving money on behalf of an inmate.

The allegations surround Bobrisky’s claim that his godfather and the Controller General arranged for special treatment. This has raised concerns about potential corruption and preferential treatment within the correctional system.

Ahmed stated that the suspension of these officers is to allow for further investigation into the allegations against them, saying, “The suspension of these Officers is to allow for further investigation on the various allegations while assuring that the outcome would be made public when concluded.”