THE Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has affirmed the suspension of two of its senior officers over a bribery allegation by popular cross-dresser, Idris Okeneye, widely known as Bobrisky.
The spokesperson of the NCoS, Umar Abubakar, disclosed this in a statement on Monday, September 30.
The statement followed the claim by the deputy controller of the NCoS, Michael Anugwa, in which he said his suspension was a social media report and was not served a letter..
Anugwa had told the members of the House of Representatives’s joint committee on financial crimes and reformatory institutions probing the bribery allegation on Monday, September 30 that he received no official communication from the Civil Defence, Correctional Fire, and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB) that suspended him.
He had told the committee, ‘It was a social media report. I wasn’t served a letter.”
Reacting to his claim, the NCoS said its attention was drawn to the trending video in which Anugwa said his suspension was not officially communicated to him.
The Service said it viewed the officer’s action as gross misconduct aimed at misleading the public about the bribery allegation.
The NCoS said for the avoidance of doubt, the service suspended not only the said officer in the video but three others following their alleged roles in various misconducts to allow for further investigation.
“The suspended officers are the officer-in-charge of the Maximum Security Custodial Centre, Kirikiri, Lagos, Deputy Controller of Corrections (DCC) Sikiru Adekunle; the officer-in-charge of the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Kirikiri, Lagos, Deputy Controller of Corrections (DCC) Michael Anugwa; the officer-in-charge of the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Kuje, FCT command, DCC Kevin Ikechukwu Iloafonsi; and Assistant Superintendent of Corrections (ASC II) Ogbule Samuel Obinna of the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Abakiliki, Ebonyi State.
“Recall that two (2) letters were issued by the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire, and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB) with reference nos. CDCFIB/NCOS/DISP/016/VOL.II/16 and CDCFIB/NCOS/DISP/016/VOL.II/17, both dated 26th September 2024, suspending the aforementioned officers,” the NCoS stated.
The Service added that the suspension, which took effect on September 26, 2024, was conveyed to the various officers accordingly.
The NCoS said it would ensure that a thorough investigation is carried out and any person or group of persons found culpable would be punished in line with the Public Service Rules and other extant laws.
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