The Federal Government has established an independent investigative panel to examine allegations of corruption and severe violations of standard operating procedures within the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS).
On Monday, September 30, the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, inaugurated the committee in Abuja. During the ceremony, the Minister emphasized that the panel must also investigate claims that some correctional service personnel permitted Bobrisky to stay in alternative accommodation while serving his sentence.
Dr. Tunji-Ojo highlighted the importance of a comprehensive approach to uncover the issues at hand, employing empirical and fact-finding methods to provide lasting solutions to the challenges faced.
“We aim to reform the correctional service. Your primary responsibility is to investigate specific allegations of corruption, torture, and mistreatment of inmates by correctional officers, particularly the recent case involving Bobrisky, which I expect to conclude within two weeks,” he stated.
The committee, led by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, has been tasked with conducting its work impartially.
“We will depend on your legal expertise to ensure that our actions comply with the law. We expect you to propose a way forward and provide facts that will be shared with the Nigerian public. Let me be clear: no one will be protected, regardless of their status,” he asserted.
Additionally, the Minister urged the committee to propose medium- and long-term solutions to prevent future violations, while identifying systemic issues within the service and recommending concrete actions for immediate correction and policy reforms.
The panel includes Omotese Eva (Mrs.), Director of Legal Affairs; Nasir Usman, Director of Joint Services; Dr. Uju Agomoh, President of Prisoners’ Rehabilitation and Welfare Action (PRAWA) and former Board Member of the International Corrections and Prisons Association (ICPA); and Dr. Ikechukwu Ezeugo, a consultant for Human Rights Radio, forensic researcher, and social impact expert with over 27 years of corporate leadership experience.