Ikoyi Correctional Centre in Crisis: Inmates Allege Exploitation by Deputy Controller

Inmates at Ikoyi Correctional Centre are decrying rampant corruption and neglect under Julius Ogueri, the facility’s deputy controller, who allegedly exploits them for financial gain and fails to address critical infrastructure issues.

Inmates at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre are raising serious complaints about the dire conditions and exploitative practices overseen by Julius Ogueri, the deputy controller of the facility.

An inmate who spoke to FIJ said that corruption has become commonplace in the prison since April 2023, when Ogueri, who has boasted of making money off the inmates, replaced the immediate former DCC.

One major issue is the demand for inmates to fund the repair of vehicles meant to transport them to court. Citing an instance, the source said that the truck that transports inmates to court has been grounded for over three months and Ogueri is asking them to contribute for its repair.

“Ogueri requested N2.5 million to repair a Coaster bus from inmates, and even after we raised almost N1.5 million, he failed to repair the bus. What does he use the money to maintain? Yet he keeps taxing inmates. The controller of Lagos State prisons hasn’t said a word, and yet he knows this. We’ve asked him to write to the government to request money, but no,” he told FIJ.

Describing the extent of the corruption in the prison, the source said that it used to be easy for inmates’ relatives to visit them under the last two previous administrations but since Ogueri acceded to the position, visitors have been severely extorted.

“The past two governments that led this prison were not this corrupt. When he came on April 11, 2023, he changed things. When your people come to visit you, it is a problem. Most inmate relations don’t come anymore because they demand money. They extort visitors to the last. The average amount spent is N10,000,” he said.

“Lawyers say this, too. Before they can see their client, they have to bribe their way in. The staff members who check visitors in tell us Ogueri gets a certain amount of money weekly from them, so they have to extort visitors. If you don’t give these men money, they will frustrate your next visit.”

The source further said that Ogueri charges the inmates to repair the rooms in the prison. The most recent case, according to him, was when Ogueri asked the inmates to contribute N400,000 to repair electricity.

He added that the clinic’s situation in the prison is bad but Ogueri does not care about it. He said the few medications in the clinic are donations from non-governmental organisations and churches, adding that if left in the hands of Ogueri, things would have gone worse.

“There is a limit to what people can donate to the clinic. With over 3,200 inmates, people get sick, but Ogueri doesn’t care about bringing drugs. Instead, inmates are asked to buy drugs when they fall ill. In some cases, inmates buy drugs to assist the doctor in the clinic,” he added.

When FIJ called Rotimi Oladokun, the spokesperson of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Lagos Command, for comments, he did not take his calls. More than 24 hours after FIJ called him, he has not responded to the text sent to his phone.