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Tag: Kuje prison

Suspended AGF Remanded in Kuje Prison Over Alleged N109bn Fraud
A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered that a former Accountant General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris, and three other defendants be remanded in the Kuje Correctional Facility.
Mr Idris and his co-defendants were arraigned before Justice Adeyemi Ajayi on Friday following charges of stealing and criminal breach of trust to the tune of N109.4 billion.
The former AGF and his fellow respondents – Olusegun Akindele, Mohammed Usman and Gezawa Commodity Market and Exchange Limited, earlier pleaded not guilty to the 14 count charge levelled against them by the EFCC.
Counsel to Mr Idris, Chris Uche prayed the court to allow the defendant to continue enjoying the administrative bail granted to him by the antigraft agency.
Mr Uche added that the EFCC has the defendants international passport, and as such they should be allowed to come back on Monday to take their bail application.
The lawyer asked the court to permit the defendants to come back on Monday and not remand them at any correctional facility.
However, the EFCC’s counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, said the administrative bail ended once the charge was filed.
Delivering her ruling, Justice Adeyemi Ajayi held that the court is not a puppet to dance to the rhythm of public opinions.
Interjecting, Idris’ counsel pleaded with the court that due to the porous security nature of the Kuje correctional facility, his client should be remanded in the EFCC custody.
Justice Ajayi however, repeatedly ordered the Senior Advocate to sit down, stressing that nobody can overturn her orders before her.
She subsequently adjourned proceedings till the 27th of July for hearing of bail applications.
July 22, 2022
Another Kuje Prison Escapee Arrested In Kaduna
Police operatives in Kaduna State have arrested one of the inmates who escaped from the Medium Security Correctional Centre, in Abuja following an attack on the facility by terrorists.
The 60-year-old suspect, Ali Shu’aibu, who hails from Kano State, is the latest inmate to be recaptured after hundreds of prisoners fled the correctional centre last month.
was apprehended by the police operatives at a location in Kaduna on Sunday while he was on transit to Kano.
Mr Mohammed Jalige, the Public Relations Officer in Kaduna confirmed this in a statement on Monday, a day after the suspect was arrested.
He explained that the suspect, according to preliminary investigation, revealed that he was part of the inmates who escaped during the attack on the correctional centre in the nation’s capital.
Jalige stated that the Commissioner of Police in the state, Yekini Ayoku, has directed that necessary protocols be carried out before handing the suspect over to the Nigerian Correctional Service for proper placement.
Ayoku, the command’s spokesman added, asked officers not to relent in their effort to effectively tackle all forms of crimes and criminality in all critical areas of the state.
July 19, 2022
Police Capture Kuje Prison Escapee in Ogun
One of the escapees of the Kuje Correctional Centre, Yakubu AbdulMumuni, has been arrested by the police at Ota, in the Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area of the Ogun State.
DAILY POST gathered that the 28-year-old AbdulMumuni was arrested Monday by operatives of the command.
The Police Public Relations Officer in Ogun, Abimbola Oyeyemi, confirmed this in a statement on Wednesday.
According to him, AbdulMumuni was arrested following information received by policemen at Sango-Ota divisional headquarters that the convict was sighted somewhere around Sango Ota.
Upon the information, the DPO of Sango-Ota division, SP Saleh Dahiru, was said to have quickly mobilised his men to the area where the convict was apprehended.
“He confessed to the police that he escaped from Kuje Correctional Center on the 5th of July 2022, when the Center was attacked by bandits.
“He stated further that he was convicted by Kogi State High Court for offence of Conspiracy and culpable homicide and sent to Kuje Correctional Centre,” Oyeyemi informed.
Oyeyemi said the Commissioner of Police, Lanre Bankole had directed the State CIID to facilitate the transfer of the convict to the correctional centre without further delay.
July 13, 2022
Kuje Prison: FG Declares Fleeing Terrorist Wanted, Releases Photos
The Federal Government has declared all Boko Haram suspects who fled the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Kuje, Abuja, wanted.
In a statement on Friday, the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) revealed the names and photos of 69 inmates who escaped from the correctional facility following an attack by terrorists three days ago.
“The following are faces and names of Inmates with Boko Haram/ terrorism cases who escaped from Kuje Correctional Centre during the jail attack on 5th July 2022,” it said.
“If you see any of these people, or have useful information which may lead to their recapture, please Call 07000099999, 09060004598 or 08075050006 or any law enforcement agency nearest to you. We guarantee to keep your information anonymous.”
Details later…
July 8, 2022
UK, US Warn Citizens Against Travel near Kuje Prison, 19 Nigerian States
The United States Embassy has warned its citizens in Nigeria against travelling on the airport road in Abuja.
The warning came after suspected terrorists attacked Kuje prison and freed inmates on Tuesday.
Also, United Kingdom citizens were warned not to be cautious of travelling to 19 states in Nigeria.
Among the states are Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Gombe, Kaduna, Katsina, Zamfara and riverine areas of Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River.
They were advised to only embark on essential travel to Bauchi, Kano, Jigawa , Niger, Sokoto, Kogi, within 20km of the border with Niger in Kebbi State, Abia and non-riverine areas of Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Plateau, and Taraba.
In a statement on Wednesday, titled, ‘Abuja FCT prison break near the airport on July 5, 2022’, the US Embassy noted that crime has become endemic throughout Nigeria.
The statement read, “On the night of July 5, 2022, an attack on Kuje Prison freed a large portion of the estimated 1,000 prisoners. The prison lies approximately 27 miles southwest of the Central Business District.
“An increase in crime is expected in and around Abuja. It is recommended that U.S. citizens should maintain a high state of personal security awareness for the next two weeks and avoid unnecessary travel on the airport road.
“Crime is endemic throughout Nigeria and tends to spike after dark. Avoiding locations and situations that increase the likelihood of being victimized is the best defence. Avoid displays of valuables and limit nighttime activity.
“Terrorist groups and those inspired by such organizations are intent on attacking U.S. citizens abroad. Terrorists are increasingly using less sophisticated methods of attack –including knives, firearms, and vehicles – to target crowds more effectively. Frequently, their aim is focused on unprotected or vulnerable targets, such as:
“High-profile public events (sporting contests, political rallies, demonstrations, holiday events, celebratory gatherings, etc.), hotels, clubs, and restaurants frequented by tourists, places of worship, schools, parks, shopping malls and markets and public transportation systems (including subways, buses, trains, and scheduled commercial flights).
“Actions to take: Be aware of your surroundings, Keep a low profile, carry proper identification, monitor local media for updates, review your personal security plans, always drive with your windows rolled up and the doors locked, and avoid large gatherings and protests, review alternative travel routes in case of unexpected protests or unrest, exercise caution if unexpectedly in the vicinity of large gatherings or protests, always keep the doors to your residence locked, even when at home.”
July 7, 2022
Prison Break: List of Prominent Nigerians in Kuje Prison
Kuje Correctional facility came under heavy attack Tuesday night, leading to the escape of several inmates.
The facility has replaced Kirikiri Maximum Security correctional facility as the ‘VIP prison’ for prominent Nigerians. Some of the current occupants include ex-lawmakers, former governors and terrorists.
Some prominent Nigerians like the Chief Whip of the Senate, Orji Uzor Kalu, Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa, Olisa Metuh, Femi Fani-Kayode recently had brief stinks at the prison.
It would be recalled that the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, who is in the custody of the DSS, had requested to be transferred to Kuje Prison, but the court rejected the request.
Despite the status of the correctional centre, questions have been raised against the backdrop of the ease at which terrorists successfully attacked the prison and freed inmates, including several terrorists.
While terrorists operated at the facility for hours, a major military formation is in Gwagwalada, and there are several military checkpoints, just 15 minutes from the prison. In addition, major cantonments like Mogadishu, Niger, and Lungi are less than 45 minutes from the prison.
Following the attack, Nigerians on social media had speculated that disgraced ‘supercop’ Abba Kyari and other convicted politicians could have used the opportunity to escape imprisonment.
Here is a list of prominent Nigerians at the Kuje Correctional facility:
Abba Kyari
The disgraced ex-head of the Intelligence Response Team is currently languishing at the Kuje correctional facility over his ongoing narcotics and evidence tampering charges.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency had filled eight-count charges against Kyari and he has been reprimanded at Kuje, alongside some other police officers.
Justice Emeka Nwike had ordered Kyari, ACP Sunday Ubia, Inspector Simon Agirgba, Inspector John Nuhu and Bawa James to be sent to Kuje.
Joshua Dariye
Former Governor of Plateau State would not have risked running out of prison considering that he recently got a state pardon. The National Council of States Dariye granted Dariye and 158 others pardon, although, the ex-governor is yet to be released.
The former governor was convicted of embezzling N2 billion belonging to Plateau State, while he was governor from 1999 to 2007. He was handed a 14years imprisonment by High Court of the Federal Capital Territory. However, the sentence was commuted by the Supreme Court to 10 years.
Rev Jolly Nyame
Like Dariye, Mr Nyame is a beneficiary of the controversial presidential pardon of President Buhari. The former Governor of Taraba State from 1999 to 2007, was convicted in 2018 by Justice Bukola Banjoko, and the sentence was affirmed by the Supreme Court in 2020.
Abdulrasheed Maina
Once upon a time, Mr Maina was the Chairman of the powerful Pension Reform Task Force under President Goodluck Jonathan. He was appointed in 2010 to cleanse the system.
In 2012, a Senate committee accused him of embezzling N100 billion. He was dismissed from service after going into hiding.
Justice Okon Abang had handed Mr Maina 8 years imprisonment for stealing billions from pensioners.
Mr Maina gained celebrity status after his cat and mouse episode with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission until he was arrested alongside his 20 years old son, Faisal.
He resurfaced after the emergence of Buhari. It would be recalled that he was clandestinely reinstated into civil service and promoted, but following the outrage, the government fired him.
Farouq Lawan
Lawan is a clear case of grace to grass. The former Kano lawmaker was charged with investigating petroleum subsidy during the Jonathan’s administration. He fell after a sting operation by DSS exposed him of using the committee to milk oil marketers.
Femi Otedola’s $600,000 exposed Lawan, who was one of the leaders of the caucus that removed Patricia Etteh as the Speaker of the House.
Lawan is currently in Kuje after a court sentenced him to 7 years imprisonment.
Peter Nwachukwu
The husband of popular gospel artist, Osinachi is also at the Kuje Correctional Centre on the ongoing case of homicide.
Last month, the Federal Capital Territory High Court remanded Mr Nwachukwu in prison while the case is ongoing.
July 7, 2022
Buhari Visits Kuje Prison Hours After Attack
Following Tuesday night’s bomb attack on the Kuje Medium Security Custodial Centre in Abuja, President Muhammadu Buhari, has visited the facility.
Over 100 terrorists had, on Tuesday night, attacked the facility, freeing hundreds of inmates, among them fellow terrorists.
No fewer than five persons were reported killed on Tuesday night after terrorists, numbering over 200, bombed the Kuje Medium Security Custodial Centre of the Nigerian Correctional Service, NCoS, in Abuja.
Among those killed was a civil defence personnel attached to the facility, while four inmates, said to have attempted an escape, were also killed.
About 879 inmates had escaped from the facility. However, 443 of them were reportedly recaptured, while the same number are currently still at large.
Spokesman of the Service, Chief Superintendent Abubakar Umar, in an updated statement, added that suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari, and other high profile inmates are still in custody, contrary to reports (not in Vanguard) that he had escaped.
July 6, 2022
64 Boko Haram Terrorist In Kuje Prison Have Escaped – Defence Minister
The Minister of Defence, Bashir Magashi, on Wednesday, reacted to the Kuje prison attack, saying all the 64 members of the Boko Haram terrorists fled the facility.
Gunmen had stormed the facility on Tuesday, with explosions and gunshots heard from the direction of the correctional centre located in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
Addressing reporters a day after the attack, Magashi said there are strong indications that terrorists invaded the facility to free their members being held in detention.
He explained that the Federal Government is working hard to ensure that other fleeing inmates were being recaptured and kept back in the facility.
“Most likely, they are Boko Haram because we have a sizeable number of Boko Harams that are in detention,” the minister said.
“Presently, we could not locate any of them. I think there are about 64 Boko Haram (members) in prison, they have all escaped.”
Noting that the situation is under control, he said the correctional centre could accommodate 994 prison inmates.
Of the figure, the Defence Minister said the government has been able to track down 600 inmates who have been recaptured.
He stated further that before the end of the day, many more inmates still hiding would be rearrested and sent back to the facility.
Magashi added, “We are trying to see what we can do to ensure that all the escapees are brought back to the prison yard. I think the prison is an accommodation for about 994 inmate escapees.
“We have 600 already inside now and many people are being captured and brought back to the prison. Maybe by the close of the day, more would have been captured. I think everything is under control.”
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Mr Shuaibu Belgore, had earlier explained that over 300 of the inmates have been retrieved and more are on the way.
He also said that it is unclear how many of the gunmen were killed, adding that the government lost one official with three others injured.
July 6, 2022
Over 600 Inmates Escape from Kuje prison
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Dr Shuaib Belgore, has said over 600 of the inmates fled the prisons when it came under attack late Tuesday night.
Belgore stated that those behind the attack were Boko Haram terrorists who came specifically for their members held in the custody.
He, however, said about 300 had been recaptured, while 300 were still at large.
Speaking while addressing journalists, he also said an operative of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps was killed during the attack.
He said, “There have been several attacks on our facilities most of them are being repelled, but every now and then, there is one that they have succeeded. In this is one they came very determined with high explosives.
“The initial entry attempt was unsuccessful, then they attacked another section of the wall with higher grade explosives which brought the wall down.
“The forces on the ground did everything they could to repel them but the number they came with was high which they were not able to defend against. They kept on fighting gallantly unfortunately the breach happened. Reinforcement came when they were halfway through it. They were eventually repelled.
“At the time they came in they killed one NSCDC operative while trying to save the situation. The inmates here are 994.
“We understand they are Boko Haram terrorists and came specifically came for their conspirators. Many of them have returned, some were retrieved from the bushes they were hiding, right now we have retrieved about 300 out of about 600 that got out of the jail.”
July 6, 2022
BREAKING: Court remands Sowore, four others in Kuje prison until bail application
A Magistrate Court sitting in Wuse Zone 2, Abuja, on Monday, ordered the remand of Sahara Reporters Publisher, Omoyele Sowore, and four other activists in Kuje Correctional Centre pending the hearing of their bail applications.
Their formal bail applications would be heard on Tuesday, January 5, 2020.
Recall we had reported that Sowore and other activists were arraigned on three charges of criminal conspiracy, unlawful assembly, and attempting to incite others.
The activists, however, denied the charges.
They were earlier arrested for holding a protest against bad governance on New Year’s Eve in Abuja and subsequently taken to a police unit infamously known as ‘Abattoir’ in the Lokogoma area of the FCT.
“We have been sent to the infamous Kuje Prison for the next 24 hours while they plot their next moves. But we are very resolute and convinced that this year will be different for the tyrant! #RevolutionNow,” Sowore tweeted on Monday.
Details later…
January 4, 2021