The Federal Government has suspended several senior officials of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS) over bribery allegations involving controversial crossdresser Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky.
In a statement released on Thursday by the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board, the government confirmed the suspension of the officers following a viral video noting alleged misconduct.
The statement, signed by Ja’afaru Ahmed, noted that the suspension was to facilitate a thorough investigation into the allegations, with the findings to be made public once concluded.
The suspended officers include Michael Anugwa, Deputy Controller of Corrections (DCC) in charge of the Medium Security Custodial Centre (MSCC), Kirikiri, Lagos, and Sikiru Adekunle, DCC in charge of the Maximum Security Custodial Centre, also in Kirikiri.
Additionally, the Board suspended ASC II Ogbule Samuel Obinna, an officer at the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Afikpo, Ebonyi State, for allegedly escorting a convicted inmate out of the facility without authorisation.
Another officer, Iloafonsi Kevin Ikechukwu, DCC in charge of the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Kuje, Abuja, was also suspended for allegedly receiving money on behalf of an inmate.
In a related development, the House of Representatives passed a resolution on Thursday to investigate bribery allegations involving the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the NCS, following accusations made by social media influencer Martins Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan.
During a plenary session, the resolution was adopted after a motion of urgent public importance was presented by Patrick Umoh, the representative for Ikot Ekpene/Essien Udim/Obot Akara Federal Constituency, Akwa Ibom State.
Umoh raised concerns over allegations that the EFCC dropped money laundering charges against Bobrisky after receiving N15 million and that Bobrisky, convicted for defacing the naira, did not serve his sentence in a proper correctional facility.
“We are disturbed about the damning allegations against Nigerian critical law enforcement agencies—the EFCC and the NCS—established by this hallowed chamber to fight corruption and incarcerate convicted individuals for correctional purposes,” Umoh said.
The Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, referred the matter to the Committees on Financial Crimes and Reformatory Institutions, with a directive to report back within three legislative weeks.
