A convicted armed robber serving time at the Kirikiri Maximum Security Custodial Centre in Lagos, Haruna Ayo, has been caught trying to process a passport and visa, according to a PUNCH news report.
The incident happened on Wednesday, May 19, 2025, when Ayo was moved by warders to the Nigeria Immigration Service passport office in FESTAC Town under suspicious circumstances. Ayo, who was sentenced to life imprisonment for robbery but had his term reduced, was expected to be released later this year on October 11.
Sources said the inmate was among five others selected for a domestic task at the residence of a senior prison officer. However, things took a strange turn when another officer allegedly instructed that Ayo be handed over for a different assignment.
It was later discovered that Ayo was taken to the passport office for documentation. While waiting to be attended to, the warder escorting him became anxious and insisted on returning him to prison. This strange behaviour made immigration officers suspicious. They detained both Ayo and the escorting officer, and alerted higher authorities.
A senior officer at the Nigerian Immigration Service confirmed that the matter was quickly reported to the Nigerian Correctional Service headquarters in Lagos. Following this, at least two prison officials, including one identified as Femi, were suspended.
Ayo had reportedly claimed he was receiving treatment at a nearby hospital, which allowed him to leave prison. But further checks revealed that three separate medical evaluations had already confirmed he was healthy. During these supposed medical visits, he was processing travel documents.
One source familiar with the situation said, “This convict used the excuse of illness to leave prison. He claimed he was visiting a hospital, but in reality, he was processing his passport and visa. It is likely he planned to escape the country.”
Another official said the incident is causing serious uproar at the custodial centre. “The question remains, how did a convict begin the passport and visa process while still serving time? Was he planning to run away? This is a huge embarrassment,” the source said.
Reacting to the development, the spokesperson for the Nigerian Correctional Service, Abubakar Umar, confirmed the incident and said investigations were ongoing. He also said that one officer had already been suspended.
“The staff member suspected to have committed the act has been suspended, and investigation is ongoing. The suspension is necessary to ensure a smooth process,” Umar said.
He stressed that the Controller-General of the Service takes discipline seriously, adding that any officer found guilty would be removed.
“The CG has said clearly that while good performance will be rewarded, any officer who acts illegally will face the law. They are not worthy of the uniform,” he said.
Legal experts have described the case as disturbing and shameful. A lawyer, Tolu Babaleye, said, “A person in prison is not supposed to leave the facility. It is meant to be a place for correction. But when prison staff allow inmates to go out for personal errands or pleasure, the whole justice system breaks down.”
He added that there are reports of prisoners being used to commit more crimes and then returning to prison to share money with warders.
Another human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, said inmates should only leave prison on court orders or for community service. “Any other reason is illegal. Allowing prisoners out for personal matters is a big violation of the law.”
A former Vice President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Dr Monday Ubani (SAN), also said the matter showed serious problems within the prison system.
“It’s a dangerous sign that inmates are being allowed to leave without proper checks. If a prisoner escapes, it weakens the justice system. The authorities must act now to bring back discipline and stop this shameful practice,” he said.
This is not the first time the Nigerian Correctional Service has faced such controversy. Last year, officials were accused of collecting millions in bribes to give special treatment to popular cross-dresser Bobrisky while in custody. In another case, a convicted inmate was reportedly smuggled out of prison to visit his girlfriend.
