Officials at the Afikpo Correctional Centre in Ebonyi State have been implicated in an illegal conjugal visit involving an inmate named Ibuchi Okoro Eze, who is serving a sentence for rape. According to an exclusive report from SaharaReporters, this incident occurred on Saturday, September 14, when Eze was taken outside the facility to meet his girlfriend at a bar she manages.
Sources within the correctional facility revealed that Eze, who still has over a year left on his sentence, was allowed to leave the prison under dubious circumstances. “This isn’t the first time such incidents have occurred; inmates have previously been permitted to leave the facility illegally for various reasons, including visits to clubs where they often spend the night,” the source stated.
It was noted that only local staff, who have spent their careers at Afikpo, are involved in these arrangements, ensuring that any wrongdoing remains concealed. Reports indicate that some correctional officers accept bribes from inmates, allowing them to exit the prison at will.
On the day of the incident, Eze reportedly paid a fee to the officers, who then coerced junior staff into escorting him to the bar. Once there, Eze requested a private space to engage in sexual activity with his girlfriend. While one officer opposed this request, Eze was able to contact a higher-ranking official who granted permission but instructed the officers to remain vigilant and ensure his return.
Efforts to reach Umar Abubakar, the spokesperson for the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), for comment on these allegations were unsuccessful, as calls, texts, and WhatsApp messages went unanswered.
The NCoS has faced ongoing accusations of corruption, extortion, and cover-ups across the country. In a notable case, the son of a former minister in the Federal Capital Territory reportedly paid around N500,000 to secure a favorable cell during his incarceration.
Additionally, a 2017 incident involved an inmate at Kuje Prison, Ifeanyi Ezenwa, who was able to orchestrate a multi-million naira fraud operation from behind bars, allegedly with the assistance of corrupt officials.
A report from Amnesty International has also highlighted that medical care and welfare services in prisons are often only available to those willing to pay bribes to prison staff, further illustrating the systemic issues within the correctional system.
