Federal Government Suspends Top Prison Officials Over Bobrisky Scandal
The Federal Government has suspended four senior prison officers, including those in charge of the Maximum and Minimum Custodial Centres in Kirikiri, Lagos State, due to allegations surrounding crossdresser Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky.
Bobrisky was convicted of naira mutilation and sentenced to six months in jail but was allegedly given an apartment outside the custodial center, sparking widespread outrage.
The Suspended Officers include; Michael Anugwa, Deputy Controller of Corrections, Medium Security Custodial Centre, Kirikiri, Lagos State. Sikiru Adekunle,Deputy Controller of Corrections, Maximum-Security Custodial Centre, Kirikiri, Lagos State. Ogbule Samuel Obinna, ASC II, Medium Security Custodial Centre, Afikpo, Ebonyi State, for allegedly escorting a convicted inmate outside the facility. Iloafonsi Kevin Ikechukwu, Deputy Controller of Corrections, Medium Security Custodial Centre, Kuje, Abuja, for allegedly receiving money on behalf of an inmate.
The suspension follows an audio leak that seemed to indicate Bobrisky’s preferential treatment. Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, initiated an investigation into the allegations on Wednesday.
Ja’afaru Ahmed, Secretary of the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board, confirmed the suspensions in a statement, stating that the action allows for further investigation and assures that the outcome will be made public upon completion.
He said; “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.
“Michael Anugwa, Deputy Controller of Corrections (DCC), In-Charge of Medium Security Custodial Centre (MSCC), Kiri-kiri, Lagos State; and Sikiru Adekunle, Deputy Controller of Corrections (DCC), In-Charge of Maximum-Security Custodial Centre (MSCC), Kiri-kiri, Lagos State.
“Also, the Board has suspended ASC II Ogbule Samuel Obinna, serving at the Medium Security Custodial Centre (MSCC), Afikpo, Ebonyi State, for allegedly accompanying a convicted inmate out of the Custodial Centre to a location outside the facility.
“In another related development, the Board has equally suspended another Senior Officer of the Service, Iloafonsi Kevin Ikechukwu, Deputy Controller of Corrections (DCC), In-Charge of Medium Security Custodial Centre (MSCC), Kuje- Abuja, for allegedly receiving monies on behalf of an inmate”.
