Scandal at Kirikiri: Prison Officers Caught Escorting Convict to Process Passport, Visa in Lagos

A shocking scandal has rocked Nigeria’s prison system, as officers at Kirikiri Maximum Security Prison in Lagos were caught escorting a convicted inmate, Haruna Ayo, to process an international passport and visa. The incident, which took place in May 2025, has sparked public outrage and raised serious questions about corruption and privilege within the Nigerian Correctional Service.

Haruna Ayo, who is serving a 21-year sentence for armed robbery, was allegedly moved from the prison under the guise of receiving medical attention. However, instead of heading to a hospital, Ayo was taken to the Nigeria Immigration Service office in FESTAC Town, where he was caught in the process of obtaining travel documents. Immigration officers, sensing something unusual, flagged the suspicious behavior and reported it to authorities.

Sources revealed that Ayo was among a select group of inmates assigned to domestic duties at the residence of a senior prison official. During this assignment, a warder, acting on orders from a superior, diverted Ayo to the passport office. The incident only came to light after alert immigration officers detained both the convict and the warder.

In response, the Nigerian Correctional Service confirmed that the officers involved have been suspended and placed under investigation. A spokesperson emphasized that the action was unauthorized and contrary to operational standards.

This incident is not isolated. It follows a pattern of lax enforcement and abuse of power in Nigeria’s correctional system. Legal experts have criticized the situation, noting that inmates should only be moved outside prison walls under court orders or for critical medical emergencies—not for personal gain.

The Kirikiri scandal serves as a stark reminder that without stricter oversight and reforms, the integrity of Nigeria’s justice system remains at risk. The public now waits to see whether genuine accountability will follow this disgraceful breach.