By Abba-Eku Onyeka, Abuja
The attention of the Nigerian Correctional Service has been drawn to a trending video of one of its senior officers purporting that the Service has not served him a letter of suspension as earlier directed by the Civil Defence, Correctional Fire, and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB).
Meanwhile, the Federal Government (FG) has inaugurated an independent investigative panel to probe allegations of corruption and gross violations of standard operating procedures within the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS).
These were contained in separate press statements from Assistant Controller of Corrections Public Relations Officer, Umar Abubakar and Federal Ministry of Interior Monday.
According to the press statement, the Service views this as an act of gross misconduct aimed at misleading the public on the issue at hand.
For the avoidance of doubt, the Nigerian Correctional Service suspended not only the said officer in the video, but three (3) other officers following their alleged roles in various misconducts so as to allow for further investigation.
The suspended officers are the officer-in-charge of the Maximum Security Custodial Centre, Kirikiri, Lagos, Deputy Controller of Corrections (DCC) Sikiru Adekunle; the officer-in-charge of the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Kirikiri, Lagos, Deputy Controller of Corrections (DCC) Michael Anugwa; the officer-in-charge of the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Kuje, FCT command, DCC Kevin Ikechukwu Iloafonsi; and Assistant Superintendent of Corrections (ASC II) Ogbule Samuel Obinna of the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Abakiliki, Ebonyi state.
Recall that two letters were issued by the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire, and Immigration Services board (CDCFIB) with reference nos: CDCFIB/NCOS/DISP/016/VOL.II/16 and CDCFIB/NCOS/DISP/016/VOL.II/17 both dated 26th September, 2024, suspending the aforementioned officers.
The suspension which took effect from the 26th of September, 2024, the statement went on, was conveyed to the various officers accordingly, warning the he public to remain resolute as the Service would ensure that thorough investigation is carried out and any person or group of persons found culpable would be punished in line with the Public Service Rules as well as other extant laws.
In another development, the Federal Government inaugurated an independent investigative panel to probe allegations of corruption and gross violations of standard operating procedures within the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS).
Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo who inaugurated the committee on Monday in Abuja said the committee must also look at the recent allegation that some correctional service personnel had provided an alternative accommodation for convicted cross dresser, Idris Okuneye, also known as Bobrisky
The panel, according to the Minister became necessary in order to sanitize the Service towards attaining transparency and accountability.
Recall that the Minister, who is also the Chairman of the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire, and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB), had suspended several officers overseeing the Maximum and Minimum Custodial Centres in Kirikiri, Lagos State, following allegations of misconduct involving Bobrisky.
