The Nigeria Correctional Services have refuted circulating reports that a murder suspect, Ayomide Adeleye, was never remanded in prison, describing it as “misleading”.
This was contained in a statement by the Spokesperson, Nigerian Correctional Service, Umar Abubakar, on Monday.
NPO Reports recalls that the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), had made reports that the young man who confessed to killing Christianah Idowu, his friend and neighbour, is not in any correctional facility in Lagos State.
The statement by the NCS clarified that the 23-year-old with Custody Number: S-1995/24 was remanded at the Maximum Security Custodial Centre (MSCC), Kiri-kiri, Lagos on offenses bordering on kidnapping and murder on the 26th September 2024.
“On the said date he was produced in court, the presiding magistrate ordered that he remain in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service pending advice by the Department of Public Prosecution (DPP).”
The NCS affirmed that he is still in custody saying;
“The Service wishes to categorically state that the said inmate is still in the custody of the MSCC Kirikiri, Lagos, as ordered by the court, against the information being peddled by the mischievous report.
“To further clarify, there was an inmate that has a similar name that was admitted at the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Kirikiri, Lagos State on 6 March, 2024, upon a warrant issued by Magistrate Court 15A Ogba, Lagos state, for the offence of theft.
“The inmate was discharged on 4th April, 2024 by the order of the court on the mentioned date.
“It is clear that the report was targeted at misleading the general public and bringing the image of the Service to disrepute.
“Media reporters are advised to confirm their information from appropriate quarters before going to press, to avoid dishing out falsehood to the public.
“The Service wishes to request the general public to discountenance the said report as it is written by arm-chair reporters who could have done due diligence by confirming their information before publication.”
The Acting Controller General of Corrections (Ag. CGC) Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche MFR, mni, therefore assured that the Service is working tirelessly to ensure safe and humane custody of all legally interned persons, while ensuring they are properly reformed, rehabilitated and resettled back to their various communities.