Bobrisky’s Prison Allegations Spark Suspensions
Following Bobrisky’s prison allegations, the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB) has suspended two senior officers of the service in Lagos. These suspensions come in response to a viral video where Idris Okuneye, also known as Bobrisky, claimed that after being convicted and sentenced for the abuse of naira notes in April, he did not serve his six-month prison term in the usual facility. Instead, he alleged that his godfather, with the help of the Controller General of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), arranged for him to stay in a private apartment.
Allegations Shared by Activist Lead to Immediate Action
The allegations were first shared in a voice note by activist Martins Otse, a.k.a. VeryDarkMan, and have since caused widespread public concern. In light of Bobrisky’s prison allegations, the Board immediately took action. According to a memo issued on Thursday by Ja’afaru Ahmed, Secretary of the CDCFIB, the officers suspended are Michael Anugwa, Deputy Controller of Corrections (DCC) in charge of the Kirikiri Medium Custodial Centre, and Sikiru Adekunle, also a Deputy Controller of Corrections (DCC), in charge of Maximum Security Custodial Centre Kirikiri Lagos.
The memo states:
Following the viral video alleging serious infractions by officers of the Nigerian Correctional Service regarding Mr. Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, the Board has suspended the following Senior Officers: Michael Anugwa, DCC, In-Charge of MSCC, Kirikiri, Lagos State; and Sikiru Adekunle, DCC, In-Charge of MSCC, Kirikiri, Lagos State.
Additional Suspensions Unrelated to Bobrisky’s Case
In a separate incident, ASC II Ogbule Obinna, an officer at the Afikpo Custodial Centre in Ebonyi State, was also suspended. The memo mentioned that he was allegedly involved in escorting a convicted inmate out of the facility without authorization. This case was not directly related to Bobrisky’s prison allegations but was included in the overall disciplinary measures.
Investigations Ongoing into Alleged Misconduct
In another development, DCC Iloafonsi Kevin Ikechukwu, stationed at the Kuje Medium Security Custodial Centre in Abuja, was suspended for allegedly receiving payments on behalf of an inmate.
The CDCFIB emphasized that the suspension of these officers was necessary to allow a proper investigation into their alleged misconduct. The Board assured the public that the results of the investigations into Bobrisky’s prison allegations and the other cases would be made available once concluded.
This article was updated on 30/9/2024: The NCoS releases another press release
