The Federal Government has placed several senior officials of the Nigerian Correctional Service on suspension due to bribery allegations linked to the controversial figure Idris Okuneye, commonly known as Bobrisky. 

A blogger, Martins Otse, who goes by the name VeryDarkMan, claimed in widely circulated videos that certain officers from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) accepted ₦15 million from Bobrisky to dismiss money laundering charges against him during his naira spraying incident in April, which ultimately led to a six-month prison sentence. 

Additionally, the blogger alleged that Bobrisky paid substantial sums to secure a preferred location within the prison. Bobrisky has refuted these claims, while both the EFCC and the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) have initiated investigations into the allegations made by the blogger. 

In a statement released on Thursday, the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board indicated that the suspension of the officers was prompted by a viral video detailing alleged misconduct. The statement, signed by Ja’afaru Ahmed, emphasized that the suspensions are intended to facilitate a thorough investigation into the various claims, with a commitment to publicize the findings once the inquiry is complete. 

The suspended officials include Michael Anugwa, Deputy Controller of Corrections (DCC) overseeing the Medium Security Custodial Centre (MSCC) in Kirikiri, Lagos State, and Sikiru Adekunle, Deputy Controller of Corrections (DCC) in charge of the Maximum Security Custodial Centre (MSCC) in Kirikiri, Lagos State. 

Furthermore, ASC II Ogbule Samuel Obinna, stationed at the Medium Security Custodial Centre (MSCC) in Afikpo, Ebonyi State, has also been suspended for allegedly escorting a convicted inmate 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.”