The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has appointed Daniel Ogu as the new Deputy Controller of Prisons (DCP) at the Kirikiri Medium Security Prison in Lagos State, following the suspension of Michael Anugwa from the position last week.
Anugwa’s suspension comes in the wake of allegations regarding his involvement in bribery claims that allowed popular social media figure Idris Okuneye, also known as Bobrisky, to circumvent prison regulations.
Okuneye was reportedly able to serve a six-month sentence in a more comfortable lodge rather than in standard prison conditions.
During a House of Representatives session on September 30, Anugwa appeared to answer questions about his role in the scandal.
When asked about the suspension, he controversially remarked, “They did not serve me a letter, sir. It is a social media suspension.”
This statement ignited further outrage and prompted the NCoS to clarify that Anugwa was indeed suspended while an independent panel investigated the bribery allegations.
The NCoS has stressed that Anugwa’s continued presence in office would not be appropriate given the serious nature of the claims against him, which include alleged cash payments made by Okuneye.
Additionally, reports from insiders at Kirikiri prison have surfaced, alleging that Anugwa physically assaulted inmates in April, further complicating his already troubled tenure.
An insider who spoke with FIJ said, “On April 24, he and some prison wardens bought canes to flog inmates like goats.
“It was not the first time. He does it regularly but April 24 was peculiar.
“The controller transferred Bobrisky to the maximum prison three days earlier because a post went viral a week ago showing him [Bobrisky] donating chairs to prison authorities. Some inmates took a video of him when he was about to enter the building of his private cell.
“After the leak, the controller took Bob to the maximum facility, and this annoyed the DCP because he could no longer benefit.”
