“The warder escorting him became impatient and said, ‘I need to take him back to the cell,’” a source said.
LAGOS — The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has launched an investigation after a convicted armed robber, Haruna Ayo, was caught attempting to process a passport and visa at the Nigeria Immigration Service office in FESTAC Town, Lagos.
Sources told Saturday PUNCH the incident occurred on May 19, 2025, when officers from Kirikiri Maximum Custodial Centre moved Ayo—due for release in October—to the Immigration office under suspicious circumstances.
Ayo, among five inmates assigned to a senior officer’s home for menial work, was allegedly diverted by a warder acting on another officer’s orders.
“The warder escorting him became impatient and said, ‘I need to take him back to the cell,’” a source said, triggering immigration officers’ suspicion. Both were detained and the matter escalated to NCoS headquarters.
Investigations revealed Ayo had been leveraging hospital visits to process travel documents since 2024. Two officers, including one Femi, have been suspended.
NCoS spokesperson Abubakar Umar confirmed the incident, stating, “The Comptroller-General does not take indiscipline lightly… any officer found engaging in illegal activity will be shown the way out.”
Legal experts, including Inibehe Effiong and Dr. Monday Ubani (SAN), condemned the scandal, warning it undermines justice.
“This reflects a dangerous level of laxity. If a convict escapes, it subverts the entire system,” Ubani said.
The NCoS pledged transparency, stating more updates will follow as investigations proceed.