The Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) has confirmed that the suspension of four senior officers over their handling of cross-dresser Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, custody in prison is still in effect.
This comes after one of the officers, Deputy Controller of Corrections Michael Anugwa, boldly claimed during a parliamentary inquiry that he hadn’t received any suspension letter.
But the NCoS is sticking to its guns, insisting that the officers remain sidelined.
The drama started when the Officer-in-Charge of the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Kirikiri, Lagos, Anugwa, declared he was still very much in his role, despite an official order from the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, suspending him and three others.
His statement caused quite a stir, but NCoS spokesperson Abubakar Umar wasted no time in setting the record straight. According to him, the officers had indeed been suspended since September 26, 2024, to allow for further investigation into allegations of misconduct.
The four officers involved in the suspension are DCC Sikiru Adekunle, Officer-in-Charge of the Maximum Security Custodial Centre in Kirikiri, DCC Michael Anugwa, Officer-in-Charge of the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Kirikiri, DCC Kevin Ikechukwu Iloafonsi from the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Kuje, FCT, and ASC II Ogbule Samuel Obinna of the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Abakaliki, Ebonyi.
Official letters from the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire, and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB), referenced as CDCFIB/NCOS/DISP/016/VOL.II/16 and CDCFIB/NCOS/DISP/016/VOL.II/17, clearly suspended the officers in question. Yet, Anugwa appeared to miss the memo, confidently telling lawmakers in Abuja that he hadn’t been suspended.
Umar’s statement was unequivocal: “For the avoidance of doubt, the Nigerian Correctional Service suspended not just the officer in the video but three others as well for their alleged roles in various misconducts. This is to ensure a thorough investigation.”
The NCoS has assured the public that it is committed to upholding the law and that anyone found guilty will face the appropriate punishment under the Public Service Rules and other relevant laws.
With a scandal of this magnitude, the agency promises to leave no stone unturned in its investigation.
As for the officers, it’s clear: no one is slipping through the cracks, and the suspension is very much in place until the dust settles.
