The Federal Government has suspended several officers in charge of the Maximum and Medium Custodial Centres in Kirikiri, Lagos State, following an audio leak that revealed cross-dresser Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, was allegedly granted special privileges while serving a six-month jail sentence.
This revelation came after it was discovered that Bobrisky, convicted and sentenced for a crime, had reportedly been housed in an apartment outside the custodial centre. Ja’afaru Ahmed, Secretary of the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire, and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB), announced the decision to suspend the officers in a statement from Abuja on Thursday.
Ahmed explained that the suspension was necessary to enable a thorough investigation into the allegations, and he assured the public that the findings would be made public upon completion.
He stated, “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.”
The officers suspended include:
- Michael Anugwa, Deputy Controller of Corrections (DCC), In-Charge of the Medium Security Custodial Centre (MSCC), Kirikiri, Lagos State.
- Sikiru Adekunle, Deputy Controller of Corrections (DCC), In-Charge of the Maximum-Security Custodial Centre (MSCC), Kirikiri, Lagos State.
In a related case, ASC II Ogbule Samuel Obinna, serving at the Medium Security Custodial Centre (MSCC), Afikpo, Ebonyi State, was also suspended for allegedly accompanying a convicted inmate out of the custodial facility.
Additionally, Iloafonsi Kevin Ikechukwu, Deputy Controller of Corrections (DCC), in charge of the Medium Security Custodial Centre (MSCC), Kuje, Abuja, was suspended over allegations of receiving payments on behalf of an inmate.
The suspensions are part of a broader investigation to address infractions within the Nigerian Correctional Service and ensure accountability. The outcome of these investigations will be made public in due course, as the government seeks to maintain transparency in the system.
This development raises concerns about the treatment of high-profile inmates in Nigeria’s prison system, highlighting the need for stricter regulations and oversight to prevent preferential treatment and misconduct within correctional facilities.
