By Convicted inmate caught applying for passport
Triggers correctional system scandal
Summary
- Inmate serving 21-year sentence found applying for travel documents at Lagos passport office
- Immigration system flagged attempt amid tighter security following Bobrisky prison scandal
- Two correctional officers suspended as investigation exposes deep-rooted systemic abuse
Lagos — A convicted armed robber, Haruna Ayo, who is serving a 21-year sentence at Kirikiri Maximum Security Custodial Centre in Lagos, has been caught attempting to obtain a passport and visa while still incarcerated.
The shocking revelation, which surfaced in May 2025, has reignited public outrage over corruption and systemic rot in Nigeria’s correctional system.
Ayo, whose sentence was reduced from life imprisonment on appeal, was due for release on October 11, 2025. However, on May 19, under the guise of medical appointments and with the alleged cooperation of prison officials, he was taken to the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) office in FESTAC Town, Lagos. There, he attempted to process international travel documents, despite being a serving inmate.
The Nigeria Immigration Service detected the irregularities through its automated passport application system, which flagged Ayo’s status. The alert triggered an investigation, and the matter was immediately escalated to the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) headquarters in Alagbon, Lagos.
Scheme dates back to 2024
Investigations revealed that Ayo had been exploiting medical pretenses since 2024 to leave the prison under questionable circumstances. He was reportedly among five inmates selected to perform menial tasks at the residence of the custodial centre’s officer-in-charge, a practice that has come under intense scrutiny.
This latest breach came to light amid increased vigilance following the high-profile Bobrisky (Idris Okuneye) prison scandal in 2024, which exposed preferential treatment and bribery within the prison system. In that case, officials allegedly collected ₦35 million to grant the celebrity inmate luxuries behind bars.
Officers suspended, broader rot exposed
Following the discovery, two correctional officers were suspended, one identified as Femi. However, sources within the system suggest a larger network of complicity, raising questions about institutional accountability and the integrity of correctional supervision.
Legal practitioner and public commentator Tolu Babaleye described the incident as “a disgrace” and a clear indication of how the penal system is being undermined by those charged with enforcing justice.
“This is not just about one inmate; it’s about a pattern of negligence and corruption that enables criminals to act with impunity,” Babaleye stated.
Critics argue that such incidents are symptomatic of deep-rooted issues, where inmates run errands for officials or use bribes to secure special privileges, eroding the goals of incarceration and rehabilitation.
NCoS promises accountability
Controller General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche, confirmed an internal probe is underway, reiterating the agency’s “zero tolerance” stance on misconduct. He pledged that any officers found complicit would be held accountable and emphasized ongoing reforms aimed at restoring the integrity of the correctional system.
“The Nigerian Correctional Service is committed to ensuring that justice is not only done but seen to be done. We will not allow misconduct to go unpunished,” Nwakuche said.
In the face of ongoing investigation, calls are growing louder for stronger oversight mechanisms, digitized monitoring of inmate movement, and stricter penalties for errant officers.
For many Nigerians, the incident underscores the urgent need for systemic reform to prevent correctional facilities from becoming launchpads for further criminal activity.
