The Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) has confirmed the suspension of four senior officers due to alleged misconduct.
This is contained in a statement by the NCoS spokesman, Mr Abubakar Umar, on Monday in Abuja.
Umar said the affected officers are Deputy Controller of Corrections (DCC) Sikiru Adekunle, DCC Michael Anugwa, DCC Kevin I Iloafonsi, and Assistant Superintendent of Corrections (ASC) Obinna Ogbule.
He said these officers were in charge of various correctional facilities, including Maximum Security Custodial Centre, Kirikiri, Lagos; Medium Security Custodial Centre, Kirikiri, Lagos; Medium Security Custodial Centre, Kuje, FCT; and Medium Security Custodial Centre, Abakiliki, Ebonyi State.
He said that the suspension followed a trending video allegedly spreading misinformation about the service.
“The NCoS views this as gross misconduct aimed at misleading the public.”
Umar assured the public that a thorough investigation would be conducted, and those found culpable would face punishment in line with Public Service Rules and other extant laws..
The Civil Defence, Correctional Fire, and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB) issued two letters (CDCFIB/NCOS/DISP/016/VOL.II/16 and CDCFIB/NCOS/DISP/016/VOL.II/17) on September 26, suspending the officers.
The suspension took effect on September 26.
NAN reports that Michael Anugwa, one of the suspended officials, claimed his suspension was merely “a social media suspension” during a House of Representatives hearing on September 30 regarding his involvement in the Idris Okuneye (Bobrisky) case.