The Nigerian Correctional Service has ordered the immediate removal of the officer in charge of the Ibara Medium Custodial Centre in Abeokuta, Ogun State, and two other principal officers following a viral TikTok livestream involving a death-row inmate at the facility.
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The Controller-General of Corrections, Sylvester Nwakuche, said the officers were removed from their positions pending the conclusion of investigations into how the inmate obtained and operated a prohibited mobile telephone while in lawful custody.
The Service stressed that the administrative action did not amount to a final finding of culpability against the affected officers but was necessary to guarantee an impartial, transparent and unhindered investigation.
The development followed public outrage over reports that a condemned inmate at the Ibara facility had repeatedly accessed social media, hosted TikTok livestreams and allegedly conducted business activities from custody.
In a statement issued in Abuja by the Public Relations Officer of the NCoS, Jane Osuji, the Controller-General described the incident as a serious breach of custodial security and a violation of the Nigerian Correctional Service Act 2019, the Service Standing Orders and other regulations governing custodial operations.
Osuji said preliminary findings confirmed that the inmate was unlawfully in possession of a mobile telephone through which he gained access to social media.
“Preliminary findings confirmed that the inmate was in unlawful possession of a prohibited mobile phone, which he used to access social media while in lawful custody,” the statement said.
The NCoS disclosed that the telephone had been recovered during a search operation and preserved as an exhibit for further investigation.
It added that the inmate had been transferred from Ibara to another custodial facility, where he would remain under enhanced security pending the completion of the investigation.
“The device has since been recovered following a search operation and secured as an exhibit for further investigation. As an additional security measure, the inmate has been transferred to another facility where he is being held under enhanced security pending the conclusion of ongoing investigations,” the Service stated.
The inmate was previously identified in reports as Elijah Oyebode, who is on death row following his conviction for the killing of Rofiat Adebisi, a final-year student of Osun State University.
The controversy began after reports revealed that the inmate had access to social media from inside the custodial centre and participated in live online broadcasts despite being held under a death sentence.
The Correctional Service said its preliminary investigation had identified security gaps that might have allowed the prohibited device to enter and remain inside the facility.
Following the discovery, Nwakuche ordered the removal of the officer in charge and two other principal officers responsible for operations at the centre.
“In demonstration of the Service’s commitment to accountability and institutional integrity, the Controller-General has ordered the immediate removal of the Officer-in-Charge of the Custodial Centre, along with two other principal officers, pending the conclusion of the investigations,” the statement said.
“This administrative action is without prejudice to the final outcome of the investigation and is intended to ensure a transparent, impartial and unhindered investigative process.”
The NCoS said investigations were continuing to determine whether any correctional officer, fellow inmate or external collaborator facilitated the possession and use of the telephone.
It maintained that although preliminary findings had established the inmate’s culpability in possessing and operating the prohibited device, the possible involvement, negligence or complicity of other persons remained under investigation.
The Service warned that anyone found to have facilitated, aided, condoned or negligently allowed the security breach would face disciplinary and administrative sanctions under the applicable laws and regulations.
It said the incident had reinforced the need for security reforms introduced by the Controller-General to eliminate vulnerabilities and prevent prohibited items from entering custodial centres.
The reforms include stricter searches, enhanced monitoring, improved intelligence gathering and stronger accountability mechanisms for officers responsible for the custody and supervision of inmates.
The Controller-General directed all commands and custodial centres nationwide to fully implement the reforms and intensify compliance with existing security procedures.
The NCoS assured Nigerians that the investigation would be conducted without regard to the rank or position of any officer found to have played a role in the breach.
It also appealed to members of the public to avoid speculation while the investigation continued, assuring that the Service remained committed to the safe, secure and humane custody of inmates across the country.
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