The Federal Government has inaugurated a panel to
investigate allegations of misconduct within the Nigerian Correctional Service
(NCoS), following claims made by crossdresser Idris Okuneye, popularly known as
Bobrisky.
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, officially
launched the independent investigative panel on Monday. The committee has been
tasked with examining specific accusations related to corruption, mistreatment,
and torture of inmates by correctional officers, including the recent claims
made by Bobrisky.
"We are committed to reforming the correctional
service. This panel's core responsibility is to probe these allegations, and I
expect their findings on Bobrisky’s case to be ready in two weeks," the
minister stated. He emphasized that no individual, regardless of status, would
be shielded from the investigation.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Magdalene Ajani,
was appointed as the chairperson of the panel. Other members include Omotese
Eva, Director of Legal; Nasir Usman, Director of Joint Services; Dr. Uju
Agomoh, President of Prisoners’ Rehabilitation and Welfare Action (PRAWA); and
Dr. Ikechukwu Ezeugo, a Human Rights Radio consultant and forensic researcher.
Earlier, the minister, who also heads the Civil Defence,
Correctional, Fire, and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB), suspended several
officers in charge of the Kirikiri custodial centres in Lagos State. This
followed allegations by Bobrisky, who claimed in a leaked phone conversation
that, after being sentenced to six months in prison for naira abuse, he was
held in a VIP facility rather than a regular prison. The recording was released
by blogger Martins Otse, known as VeryDarkMan.
The panel’s investigation is expected to provide clarity
and recommend reforms within the Nigerian Correctional Service.
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