Prison Officials Force Inmates To Pay For ‘Humane Treatment’

A legal practitioner, Mr. Bala I. Dakum, has petitioned the Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), alleging abuse of office and systematic extortion of inmates at the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja.
In the petition dated February 11, 2026, Dakum, who claims to represent over 100 inmates at the facility, accused the Officer-in-Charge of the centre, DCC Rashid O., and two aides, identified as Igodo Ebitari Enimeni and Dauda Sani Haladu, of facilitating unlawful payments in exchange for inmates’ access to basic rights and privileges.
According to Dakum, inmates and their families have repeatedly reported that payments were demanded for services such as medical attention, movement within the facility, humane treatment, and other entitlements guaranteed under the law. He further alleged that these acts were carried out with the knowledge, consent, or tacit approval of the Officer-in-Charge, creating “an environment of fear, exploitation, and injustice” within the facility.
The lawyer stated that the alleged conduct violates the Nigerian Correctional Service Act, the Public Service Rules, and the constitutional rights of inmates, while also undermining public confidence in the correctional system. He recalled the 2022 attack on the Kuje facility, during which several inmates escaped, noting that he had represented at least 60 clients at the time and facilitated the return of all but one, who remains unaccounted for. Dakum added that one of his clients was killed by security forces in the aftermath of the jailbreak.
He warned that the current situation within the facility is generating tension among inmates and could escalate into chaos if urgent action is not taken. Dakum called for an independent and thorough investigation into the allegations, including a forensic examination of the officers’ accounts. He also requested the immediate redeployment of the officers to non-sensitive positions pending the outcome of the investigations to prevent interference or intimidation of potential witnesses.
For security reasons, Dakum said he did not attach documentary evidence of the alleged fund transfers in the petition but expressed readiness to present such evidence upon request. He added that if no immediate action is taken, he would escalate the matter to other relevant law enforcement and anti-corruption agencies. Copies of the petition were also addressed to the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, as well as the Minister of Interior.
Responding to the allegations, the Public Relations Officer of the NCoS, Ms. Jane Osuji, confirmed receipt of the petition and disclosed that the Controller-General had ordered an immediate investigation into the claims. “We have received the petition, and the Controller-General has directed a full investigation to ascertain the veracity of the claims,” she said. Osuji assured that the Service would not treat the allegations lightly. “We cannot be building and tearing down at the same time. If there is merit in the allegations, appropriate action will be taken. We will not sweep this under the carpet,” she added. She noted that investigators might contact the petitioner to obtain supporting evidence to aid the inquiry, stressing that the matter would be handled professionally and transparently.
When contacted, the Officer-in-Charge of the centre, DCC Rashid O., denied the allegations, explaining that he had only assumed duty about a month earlier and could not stoop so low as to extort money from inmates. He described the allegations as false, adding, “I want to tell you that there was nothing like that. They must have been doing it before, but I’m here to stop such unwholesome practices.”