The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has appointed Daniel Ogu as the new Deputy Controller of Prisons (DCP) at the Kirikiri Medium Security Prison in Lagos State, following the suspension of Michael Anugwa last week.
Anugwa’s suspension is tied to allegations involving bribery claims that allowed social media personality Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, to receive preferential treatment while serving a six-month sentence.
It is alleged that Bobrisky was able to avoid standard prison conditions and instead served time in a more comfortable lodge, sparking outrage.
Anugwa appeared before the House of Representatives on September 30 to address his involvement in the scandal.
His controversial remark, “They did not serve me a letter, sir. It is a social media suspension,” only fueled further anger and prompted clarification from the NCoS that his suspension was indeed official, pending an independent investigation.
The NCoS emphasized that Anugwa’s continued presence in office would be inappropriate given the seriousness of the bribery allegations, which reportedly involved cash payments made by Okuneye.
Furthermore, reports from insiders at Kirikiri prison allege that Anugwa had previously mistreated inmates.
An insider recalled an incident from April 24, where Anugwa and some prison wardens bought canes to flog inmates, noting, “It was not the first time. He does it regularly, but April 24 was peculiar.”
The insider also revealed that Bobrisky had been transferred to the maximum-security facility after a viral post showed him donating chairs to prison authorities.
This transfer reportedly upset Anugwa, as he could no longer benefit from Bobrisky’s presence at the medium-security prison.