…Fingered in claims of alleged diversion of inmate reliefs, imposed illegal levies, and unauthorized raids
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command of the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) is at the center of a growing controversy, with allegations surfacing of extortion, misappropriation of relief materials meant for inmates, and unauthorized raids at Kuje Custodial Centre.
Multiple sources within the prison, including senior officers and insiders, claim that a top official, with the support of loyal officers, has systematically exploited inmates by imposing illegal levies, diverting essential supplies donated for their welfare, and subjecting them to unapproved and often forceful searches. The allegations, if proven true, suggest a serious abuse of power within the correctional system, raising urgent concerns about accountability, oversight, and the treatment of inmates.
According to reports, on March 15, 2025, inmates were allegedly forced to pay a total of N750,000 under the guise of a “phone allowance,” a charge that is not backed by any regulation within the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS). Witnesses claim that inmates were paraded and pressured to make payments, with those unable to comply allegedly facing intimidation.
“This is outright extortion,” a senior officer alleged. “There is no provision for a phone allowance in the Correctional Service Act, and no inmate is required to pay any such fee. This money was allegedly collected without documentation or legal basis.”
Beyond the alleged extortion, the official has also been accused of diverting relief materials donated by a philanthropic organization to support inmate welfare. The consignment, which reportedly included bags of rice, cartons of noodles, spaghetti, milk, sugar, and other essential provisions, allegedly never reached the intended beneficiaries.
A senior officer at Kuje Custodial Centre alleged that not a single item from the donation made it to the inmates, claiming that the relief supplies were hoarded and distributed among officers close to the leadership instead.
Furthermore, the allegations took a more serious turn on March 26, 2025, when an armed squad allegedly conducted an unauthorized raid on Kuje Custodial Centre at approximately 8:30 PM.
Sources claim that the operation, conducted without approval from the Comptroller General of Corrections or the Minister of Interior, involved officers storming inmates’ cells and forcefully seizing cash, personal belongings, and even essential legal documents.
A senior officer at the facility alleged that the justification given for the operation was that it was carried out under higher directives, but internal checks at the NCoS headquarters revealed no such authorization was given.
“There is no record of any official directive for this raid,” a senior NCoS officer allegedly stated. “The operation was conducted without due process, and inmates had their belongings confiscated without accountability.”
Despite the growing accusations, the implicated official has allegedly maintained that the actions were based on instructions from higher authorities. However, officials at the Nigeria Correctional Service headquarters have denied issuing any such directive, insisting that there was no approval for the alleged extortion, diversion of relief materials, or unauthorized raids.
Meanwhile, with questions mounting over the alleged misconduct, attention is now focused on how the authorities will respond to the unfolding scandal.
