By: Goodluck E.Adubazi, Abuja.
Three senior officers of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) at the Ibara Medium Custodial Centre, Abeokuta, Ogun State, are facing possible dismissal for alleged violations of the Nigerian Correctional Service Act, 2019, after a death row inmate appeared in a viral TikTok live stream from inside the custodial facility.
The Controller-General of Corrections, Sylvester Nwakuche, has ordered the immediate removal of the Officer-in-Charge of the custodial centre alongside two other principal officers, following what the Service described as a grave breach of custodial security.
The directive was announced on Thursday in Abuja by the Service Public Relations Officer, CSC Jane Osuji, who said the action followed preliminary investigations into the incident that triggered widespread public concern over security within the correctional facility.
According to the statement, the investigations confirmed that the inmate, who is on death row, was unlawfully in possession of a prohibited mobile phone which he used to access social media and conduct the now-viral TikTok live broadcast while in lawful custody.
The Service disclosed that the phone has since been recovered during a search operation and secured as evidence for further investigation.
As part of immediate security measures, the inmate has been transferred to another custodial facility where he is being held under enhanced security pending the conclusion of investigations.
Nwakuche described the incident as a serious violation of the Nigerian Correctional Service Act, 2019, the Service Standing Orders and other operational regulations governing custodial centres.
He said preliminary findings also uncovered security lapses that may have enabled the breach, stressing that the removal of the affected officers was necessary to guarantee a transparent, impartial and unhindered investigation.
The Controller-General noted that the disciplinary action was without prejudice to the final outcome of the ongoing investigations, adding that officers found culpable could face administrative and disciplinary sanctions, including dismissal, in line with existing regulations.
He reiterated that his administration had continued to implement wide-ranging security reforms aimed at eliminating vulnerabilities, preventing the smuggling of prohibited items into custodial centres and strengthening internal accountability.
According to him, while investigations have established the inmate’s culpability, inquiries are continuing to determine whether any correctional personnel, inmates or external collaborators facilitated, aided, condoned or were negligent in connection with the security breach.
“We assure Nigerians that anyone found to have facilitated, aided, condoned or failed in their responsibilities in connection with this incident will face appropriate disciplinary and administrative sanctions in accordance with extant regulations,” the CGC said.
Nwakuche also commended members of the public and the media for drawing attention to the incident while urging Nigerians to refrain from speculation as investigations continue.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigerian Correctional Service to maintaining safe, secure and humane custody of all inmates through sustained reforms, professionalism and strict accountability.
