The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS) has dismissed reports alleging that an Awaiting Trial Person, Ayomide Adeleye, was no longer in custody.
This is contained in a statement issued by Deputy Controller of Corrections, Abubakar Umar on Monday in Abuja.
Adeleye, 23, with Custody Number S-1995/24, was remanded at the Maximum Security Custodial Centre (MSCC), Kirikiri, Lagos, for alleged kidnapping and murder.
Adeleye was initially remanded on September 26, 2024, on the order of an Ogba Magistrates’ Court, Lagos State.
The same court on December 16, however, ordered his continued remand in the custody of the NCoS, pending advice from the Department of Public Prosecution (DPP).
“To set the records straight, the said inmate aged 23 years with Custody Number: S-1995/24 was remanded at the Maximum Security Custodial Centre (MSCC), Kiri-kiri, Lagos, for offence of kidnapping and murder on September 26, 2024.
“This was done by Magistrates ‘ Court 13A, Ogba, Lagos State, and he was produced to same court on Dec. 16 2024.
“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,”he said.
Umar said that there was another inmate with a similar name, Ayomide Adeleye, who was admitted at the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Kirikiri, Lagos, on March 6, 2024, for alleged theft.
He explained that the other inmate was discharged and released on April 14, on the order of the court.
“It is clear that the report was targeted at misleading the general public and bringing the image of the service to disrepute.
“Reporters are advised to confirm their information from appropriate quarters before going to press, to avoid dishing out falsehood to the public,”he said.
Umar quoted the Acting Controller General, NCoS, Sylvester Nwakuche as assuring that the service was working tirelessly to ensure safe and humane custody of all legally interned persons.
Nwakuche reiterated the service’s commitment to ensuring that all inmates were properly reformed, rehabilitated, and resettled back into their communities.
He urged the general public to disregard the misleading report and to always verify information through official channels.
