CRIME
BREAKING: NCoS Sacks Ibara Prison Boss, Two Others After Death Row Inmate Went Live On Tiktok From Custody
BREAKING: NCoS Sacks Ibara Prison Boss, Two Others After Death Row Inmate Went Live On Tiktok From Custody
The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has removed the Officer-in-Charge of the Ibara Medium Custodial Centre in Abeokuta, Ogun State, along with two other senior officers, following a security breach involving a death row inmate who allegedly conducted TikTok live sessions from prison.
The inmate, Elijah Oyebode, was sentenced to death by hanging in 2019 after an Osun State High Court convicted him of the murder of Rofiat Adebisi, a final-year student of Osun State University. Court records show that Oyebode gave conflicting accounts of the incident before denying involvement during his trial. The court, however, found him guilty based on medical evidence and other materials presented before it.
Despite being on death row, Oyebode allegedly maintained an active presence on TikTok. Reports indicate that one of his accounts attained Level 20 gifting status, allowing him to receive monetary gifts during livestreams. He was also allegedly linked to another TikTok account created to impersonate a popular content creator and activist.
Confirming the development in a statement issued on Thursday, the Public Relations Officer of the NCoS, Chief Superintendent of Corrections JN Osuji, described the incident as a serious violation of custodial regulations and a breach of prison security protocols.
Osuji said early investigations revealed that the inmate unlawfully possessed a prohibited mobile phone, which he used to access social media platforms while in custody.
“The device has been recovered and secured as an exhibit for further investigation,” the statement said.
The correctional service disclosed that Oyebode has been transferred to another custodial facility and placed under enhanced security measures pending the conclusion of investigations. It added that the Officer-in-Charge of the Ibara Medium Custodial Centre and two other principal officers had been removed from their positions pending the outcome of the ongoing probe.
