Convict passport scandal: FG panel suspends two officers, probes inmate

The Federal Government through the Nigerian Correctional Service has suspended two of its officers and inaugurated a disciplinary committee to investigate how a convicted armed robber, Haruna Ayo, was taken out of Kirikiri Maximum Security Custodial Centre to a passport office in Lagos to process travel documents.

This was disclosed by the Public Relations Officer of the service, Umar Abubakar, in an interview .

Abubakar, a Deputy Controller of Corrections, said the Controller-General of Corrections, Sylvester Nwakuche, was determined to clean up the system and ensure professionalism across custodial centres nationwide.

 “With the CG’s commitment, as seen within the short time he resumed office, many officers who fail to take their responsibilities seriously will be weeded out. A committee has been set up, and the investigation will determine the actions of all involved,” he said.

In an earlier statement, the PRO stated that the suspension of the two officers was approved by the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board, chaired by the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.

Abubakar said the board held that the suspended personnel act in ways that “contradict established rules and procedures” and that their actions were “unacceptable and impermissible.”

The service reiterated its zero tolerance for corruption and misconduct, warning that any officer found complicit in acts of sabotage or criminal collusion would be dismissed.

The CG has emphasised that the service will not tolerate indiscipline. We remain committed to safe custody, humane treatment, and reformation of inmates in line with global best practices,”  the statement read.

Meanwhile, a credible source informed our correspondent that the Assistant Comptroller General of Service, and the Comptroller of the Lagos State Command visited the Kirikiri Maximum Security Custodial Centre on Saturday to begin preliminary investigations on the incident.

“The ACG Zonal Coordinator and Controller Lagos State Command has arrived at Maximum Security Prison…I don’t know what for,” the source said.

However, an NCoS official familiar with the development added, “When issues like this attract public attention, it is a standard procedure for top authorities to visit the facility and gather firsthand information on what transpired.”

 This is as the scandal has triggered outrage among Nigerians, many of whom took to Facebook to express anger over the corruption within the prison system.

One of the users, Femi Ojo, commented, “That’s what they normally do; they would replace him with a condemned criminal, while Peters Tersoo also commented that, “This investigation won’t yield anything. The same powerful people behind the scandal are those controlling the probe. Nigeria is run by the Mafioso; corruption has been normalised.”

Similarly, Obinna Akor wrote, “What’s the correctional service even investigating? Prison officials aiding convicts to escape or commit crimes is a well-known thing.”