Outrage as Prison Warders escort armed robbery convict for Passport application in Lagos

Outrage as Prison Warders escort armed robbery convict for Passport application in Lagos

The Nigerian Correctional Service has launched a probe into the suspicious movement of Haruna Ayo, a convicted armed robber serving a 21-year jail term, who was allegedly taken to a Lagos passport office to process travel documents.

The incident, which occurred on Wednesday, May 19, 2025, involved officials from the Kirikiri Maximum Security Custodial Centre, Apapa, who reportedly escorted the inmate to the Nigeria Immigration Service passport office in FESTAC Town under questionable circumstances.

According to a reliable source, Ayo was initially sentenced to life imprisonment for armed robbery, but his term was later reduced on appeal to 21 years.

Following further considerations, his sentence was reviewed downward, and he was expected to regain his freedom on October 11, 2025.

It was gathered that Ayo was among five inmates selected to perform menial tasks at the residence of the officer in charge of the custodial centre on the day of the incident.

During the outing, an orderly, who claimed to be acting on instructions from a senior officer, requested the supervising officer to release Ayo into his custody.

“While they were waiting to be attended to, the warder escorting him became impatient and said, ‘I need to take him back to the cell,'” the source disclosed.

This prompted suspicion among immigration officials, who detained both the inmate and the warder and immediately alerted their superiors.

The matter was quickly escalated to the Lagos headquarters of the NCS at Alagbon.

Sources revealed that two correctional officers have since been suspended over the incident, one of whom was identified as Femi.

“The real culprits are not being punished. It’s a systemic issue with many people involved,” the source added.

Further findings revealed that Ayo had been using medical excuses as a cover to process his passport and visa by proxy.

Another source explained: “He claimed he was receiving medical treatment at a hospital nearby, but while attending these appointments, he was progressing with his passport and visa applications.

This arrangement had been ongoing since last year and appeared to be moving smoothly until the Bobrisky case attracted attention to the conduct of prison officers.

Apparently, Ayo was one of those enjoying special privileges at the maximum-security facility.”

The source said that after the suspension of senior officers over the Bobrisky saga, new leadership tightened security and revoked special privileges enjoyed by some inmates.

“Ayo became upset and began threatening blackmail. This drew attention to him, and when an investigation was conducted, it was discovered that he had been actively processing travel documents.

The hospital he claimed to frequent was suspected to have been compromised, as three separate medical evaluations had already declared him medically fit,” the source said.

The revelation has sparked outrage within the custodial centre, with many questioning how an inmate could be so far along in a passport application process.

“This is a major scandal. Was he planning to escape? The whole situation is a disgrace,” another source lamented.

The incident adds to the growing list of corruption scandals within Nigeria’s correctional system.

In the past, prison officials have been accused of extorting money from inmates, selling donated items, and offering VIP treatments in exchange for bribes.

In 2024, the Baale of Kirikiri, Babalola Shabi, accused prison officers of collecting N35 million to grant cross-dresser Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, special privileges during his incarceration.

A leaked voice note also suggested Bobrisky had paid huge sums to secure a private apartment within the prison, prompting the suspension of several senior officers.

Similarly, in 2024, officers at the Afikpo Custodial Centre in Ebonyi State were accused of smuggling an inmate, Ibuchi Eze, out of the prison for a private visit to his girlfriend.

Confirming the latest development, the NCS National Public Relations Officer, Abubakar Umar, said the incident is being thoroughly investigated.

“The staff member suspected to have committed the act has been suspended.

“The suspension is necessary to ensure a smooth and unbiased investigation,” Umar stated.

He added that the Controller-General of the NCS will not tolerate any form of indiscipline or sabotage within the system.

“This administration, under President Bola Tinubu, places high priority on the welfare of correctional officers, and the CG has made it clear that excellent performance will be rewarded.

“However, any officer found engaging in illegal activities will be dismissed.

“Such individuals are not worthy of wearing the uniform,” Umar warned.

He promised that further updates would be provided upon the conclusion of the investigation.

Reacting to the scandal, legal experts expressed shock that a serving inmate could progress through passport application procedures without triggering alarms.

They also condemned the continued practice of using inmates for domestic work in the private residences of senior correctional officers.

Legal practitioner, Tolu Babaleye, described the incident as a complete failure of the correctional system.

“Inmates are not supposed to step outside the prison walls except by court order.

” The purpose of incarceration is to restrain freedom, enforce reflection, and encourage reform. Allowing inmates to run errands or perform personal services for prison officials undermines justice and defeats the purpose of their sentence,” Babaleye said.

He further warned that in some cases, convicted criminals are temporarily released to commit additional crimes and then return to share the proceeds with complicit warders.

Human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, stressed that allowing inmates to leave custody without lawful authorisation is a blatant violation of the law.

“The Correctional Service must hold everyone involved accountable and introduce stringent safeguards to prevent this from happening again,” he advised.

Former Vice President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Dr. Monday Ubani (SAN), also condemned the incident, saying it exposes dangerous levels of negligence within the system.

“Inmates should only be moved out of prison with a valid court order or for legitimate purposes. Anything else is a gross violation of the justice process,” Ubani said.

He called for stricter internal discipline and insisted that the leadership of the Correctional Service must urgently restore public confidence in the institution.

“If an inmate were to escape under these circumstances, it would severely damage the credibility of our entire criminal justice system,” he concluded.