The Nigerian Correctional Service has launched an investigation into allegations of corruption and misconduct at its Lagos facility, resulting in the suspension of two high-ranking officers. The probe follows claims of improper interactions between correctional staff and celebrity inmate Bobrisky, sparking concerns about the facility’s management and oversight.

The Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board has suspended two officers at the Kirikiri Medium Custodial Centre in Lagos.

The officers were suspended after a voice note shared by Martins Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan, in which Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, claimed that after his conviction and sentencing for abusing naira notes in April, his godfather, in collaboration with the Controller General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, arranged for him to serve his six-month sentence in a private apartment.

The following individuals were suspended according to a memo signed by Ja’afaru Ahmed, the secretary of the board: Michael Anugwa, Deputy Controller of Corrections In-Charge of Medium Security Custodial Centre, Kiri-Kiri, Lagos State, and Sikiru Adekunle, Deputy Controller of Corrections In-Charge of MSCC Kiri-Kiri, Lagos State.

It read, “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, DCC, In-Charge of MSCC, Kiri-kiri, Lagos State; and Sikiru Adekunle, DCC, In-Charge of MSCC, Kiri-kiri, Lagos State.”

According to the memo, an officer serving at the MSCC in Afikpo, Ebonyi State, Ogbule Obinna, was suspended for accompanying an inmate out of the facility.

Also, the Board has suspended ASC II Ogbule Obinna, serving at the MSCC, Afikpo, Ebonyi State, for allegedly accompanying a convicted inmate out of the Custodial Centre to a location outside the facility,” it added.

Another senior officer of the service serving at the Kuje MSCC, DCC Iloafonsi Ikechukwu, was equally suspended for allegedly receiving money on behalf of an inmate.

“In another related development, the Board has equally suspended another Senior Officer of the Service, Iloafonsi Kevin Ikechukwu, Deputy Controller of Corrections, In-Charge of Medium Security Custodial Centre, Kuje-Abuja, for allegedly receiving monies on behalf of an inmate,” the memo added.

Ahmed, however, said their suspension was to allow proper investigation into the allegations against them.

He said, “The suspension of these Officers is to allow for further investigation on the various allegations while assuring that the outcome would be made public when concluded.”