The Nigerian Correctional Service has confirmed the suspension of four senior officers, including top officials from its Kirikiri and Kuje custodial centres, following allegations of misconduct.
The suspensions come after directives from the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire, and Immigration Services Board as part of ongoing investigations.
According to a press release issued by the NCoS on Monday, the officers were suspended on September 26, 2024, with immediate effect. The officers affected by the decision are Deputy Controller of Corrections (DCC) Sikiru Adekunle, officer-in-charge of the Maximum Security Custodial Centre, Kirikiri, Lagos; DCC Michael Anugwa, officer-in-charge of the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Kirikiri, Lagos; DCC Kevin Ikechukwu Iloafonsi, officer-in-charge of the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Kuje, FCT; and Assistant Superintendent of Corrections (ASC II) Ogbule Samuel Obinna of the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Abakiliki, Ebonyi State.
The statement was issued in response to a trending video in which one of the suspended officers claimed that he had not received an official suspension letter. The NCoS described the officer’s claims as “gross misconduct aimed at misleading the public.”
“The suspension of the officers followed their alleged involvement in various acts of misconduct. This is necessary to ensure a thorough investigation into the allegations,” the NCoS said in the statement.
The service emphasized that the public should remain calm, assuring that any officers found guilty would face disciplinary action in accordance with Public Service Rules and other applicable laws.
“We want to reiterate that these suspensions were duly communicated to the affected officers,” said Umar Abubakar, Assistant Controller of Corrections and the Public Relations Officer for the NCoS.
“The Service will ensure that any person or group of persons found culpable in this matter will be appropriately sanctioned.”
The CDCFIB issued two suspension letters with reference numbers CDCFIB/NCOS/DISP/016/VOL.II/16 and CDCFIB/NCOS/DISP/016/VOL.II/17, both dated September 26, 2024, ordering the suspension of the officers pending the outcome of investigations.
