The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has launched an investigation into a scandal involving Haruna Ayo, a convicted armed robber, who was caught attempting to process a passport and visa at a Lagos immigration office while still serving time at the Kirikiri Maximum Security Custodial Centre.
The incident, which occurred on Wednesday, May 19, 2025, has sparked public outrage and raised serious questions about internal oversight within the correctional system.
According to sources, Ayo, whose life sentence was reduced to 21 years on appeal and further reviewed, was scheduled for release on October 11, 2025, reports SATURDAY PUNCH
He was reportedly selected, along with four other inmates, to carry out menial tasks at the residence of the officer in charge of the prison on the day of the incident.
While outside the facility, a senior officer allegedly instructed another to release Ayo into his custody.
The inmate was then taken to the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) passport office in FESTAC Town, Lagos.
A source familiar with the matter said the situation aroused suspicion when the accompanying warder became impatient while waiting and remarked that he needed to return the inmate to custody.
Immigration officers, sensing something was amiss, detained both Ayo and the warder and alerted their superiors.
The NIS subsequently reported the matter to the NCoS Lagos headquarters in Alagbon.
Two officers were suspended as a result, though insiders claim that more individuals may have been involved in the scheme.
One source told Saturday PUNCH, “This appears to be part of a wider network of corruption. The officers suspended may not be the only ones culpable.”
Further investigations revealed that Ayo had been feigning medical issues as a cover to leave the prison and make progress on his travel documents.
A correctional staff member said the inmate had previously used hospital visits as a pretext to process the documents by proxy, with the assistance of compromised officials.
“This started last year and progressed unnoticed until the Bobrisky case brought increased scrutiny,” the official noted.
“Once top officials were replaced and privileges withdrawn, Ayo began acting out, prompting a search.
That’s when we found out about the passport application.”
The official added that three medical assessments had already declared Ayo fit, contradicting his health-related excuses.
The scandal has deepened concerns about systemic corruption in Nigeria’s correctional system.
Legal experts and observers have condemned the practice of assigning inmates to work in officers’ private homes and questioned how a serving convict could reach such an advanced stage in the immigration process undetected.
“This is a huge breach,” one source said.
“How could a convict nearing the end of a 21-year sentence be processing travel documents? Was he planning an escape? It’s a national embarrassment.”
In a statement, NCoS spokesperson, Abubakar Umar, confirmed the incident and the suspension of one officer pending the outcome of the investigation.
“The Comptroller-General does not tolerate misconduct or acts of sabotage.
The investigation is ongoing, and any officer found guilty will be dismissed,” Umar said.
He reiterated that under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, discipline and integrity are expected from correctional officers, and those who undermine the system would be removed.
The controversy echoes past incidents of misconduct.
In 2024, a traditional ruler accused prison officials of collecting N35 million to provide crossdresser Idris Okuneye (popularly known as Bobrisky) with special treatment.
Around the same period, warders at the Afikpo Custodial Centre in Ebonyi State allegedly smuggled an inmate out of prison to visit his girlfriend.
Commenting on the latest scandal, human rights lawyer Tolu Babaleye said the incident reflects a deep rot in the prison system.
“Inmates are supposed to be reformed behind bars, not roaming free or doing errands for officers.
This undermines justice and makes a mockery of the correctional system,” he said.
READ ALSO
- Man On The Cusp Of History: Busari Hakeem Ishola, Flamingos Coach
- Morocco 2026: Flamingos’ coach Unfazed By Brazilian Stars Ahead Semi-final Clash
- 2026 U-17 WWC: Andreyna warns Brazil of Flamingos’ threat ahead of Semi-Final clash
- How operatives rescued Nigerian woman sold for N770,000 in Mali
- Democrat makes history as first Muslim elected to US Senate
Babaleye warned that such acts, if unchecked, could enable inmates to reoffend or escape justice entirely.
As investigations continue, the case has renewed calls for urgent reform in Nigeria’s custodial system and stricter oversight of correctional officers.
