FG suspends four Correctional Service officers over Bobrisky’s alleged N15m bribe
In a decisive action against corruption, the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire, and Immigration Services Board has suspended four senior officers of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) due to allegations of misconduct. This includes two officers linked to a viral video involving Idris Okuneye, commonly known as Bobrisky.
In a statement released on Thursday, the Board announced the immediate suspension of Michael Anugwa, Deputy Controller of Corrections (DCC) overseeing the Medium Security Custodial Centre (MSCC) in Kirikiri, Lagos State, and Sikiru Adekunle, DCC in charge of the Maximum Security Custodial Centre (MSCC), also in Kirikiri. The suspensions come amid allegations related to their official responsibilities.
“The suspension of these officers is to allow for further investigation into the various allegations, and we assure that the findings will be made public once concluded,” stated Ja’afaru Ahmed, Secretary to the Board.
Recall that the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, had called for a thorough investigation into bribery allegations within the NCoS.
While he did not reference any specific incidents, his directive followed a video posted by Martins Otse, known as VeryDarkMan, in which Bobrisky claimed that after his sentencing, arrangements were made for him to serve his six-month sentence in a private apartment with the help of his godfather and the Controller General of the NCoS.
Additionally, the Board has suspended ASC II Ogbule Samuel Obinna from the MSCC in Afikpo, Ebonyi State, for allegedly taking a convicted inmate to an unauthorised location.
Another suspension was issued for DCC of MSCC Kuje, Abuja, Iloafonsi Kevin Ikechukwu, who is accused of accepting money on behalf of an inmate, violating the service’s code of conduct.
Ahmed underscored the necessity of integrity within the Nigerian Correctional Service, asserting, “The Board remains committed to maintaining discipline and transparency in the Service. Any officer found culpable will face appropriate disciplinary action.”
The Board has assured the public that the outcomes of the investigations will be communicated upon completion, reinforcing its zero-tolerance policy toward misconduct.
