The Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) has confirmed the suspension of senior officers implicated in ethical violations concerning the custody of cross-dresser Idris Okuneye, also known as Bobrisky, who was held at the Kirikiri Custodial Centre.
During a parliamentary inquiry in Abuja on Monday, Deputy Controller of Corrections (DCC) Michael Anugwa, the officer-in-charge of the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Kirikiri, claimed he had not been suspended despite an official order from the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.
NCoS spokesperson, Assistant Controller of Corrections (ACC) Abubakar Umar, released a statement on Monday night, confirming that the suspension of the officers took effect on September 26, 2024, and had been communicated to the affected individuals.
Umar stated, “The attention of the Nigerian Correctional Service has been drawn to a trending video featuring one of its senior officers claiming 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).
“The Service views this as an act of gross misconduct aimed at misleading the public regarding the issue at hand.”
He clarified that the suspension applied not only to the officer in the video but also to three other officers, allowing for further investigation into their alleged misconduct.
The suspended officers include DCC Sikiru Adekunle, the officer-in-charge of the Maximum Security Custodial Centre in Kirikiri; DCC Michael Anugwa, the officer-in-charge of the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Kirikiri; DCC Kevin Ikechukwu Iloafonsi, the officer-in-charge of the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Kuje, FCT; and Assistant Superintendent of Corrections (ASC II) Ogbule Samuel Obinna of the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State.
Umar also referenced two letters issued by the CDCFIB, dated September 26, 2024, which formally suspended the aforementioned officers.