…As Father of Abducted Girl Seeks Justice
The Rivers State Civil Society Organisations has called on federal authorities to carryout a thorough investigation into allegations that the Enugu Correctional Facility was compromised, allowing a suspected kidnapper to operate freely while in custody and masterminding further illicit acts.
Chairman of the group, Enefaa Georgewill made the call following the dismissal of the allegation that a suspect in the facility masterminded the kidnap of a 12-year-old girl, Favour Oluwaseyi, in Rivers State from within the facility by the Nigeria Correctional Service.
The group expressed surprise over the Service’s hasty dismissal of the allegations without investigations.
Father of Favour Oluwaseyi, who was kidnapped, in Obio Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State on August 7, 2024, had alleged that he traced the number that called him for ransome to the Enugu Correctional Centre.
Favour’s father, Ogunsinasi Oluwaseyi, in a previous press briefing had noted that he alongside four police operatives from Rivers State Police Command visited the Enugu Correctional Facility where he identified a suspect, Chidiebere Chikezie (a.k.a) Chi-Boy, who was allegedly not dressed in prison uniform and making video calls.
However, following the response of the Public Relations Officer of Correctional Service, Umar Abubakar debunking the claims, Chairman of RIVSCO, Enefaa Georgewill, said the NCoS’s response was embarrassing to the nation.
He demanded that the NCoS conduct an open and transparent probe, make public the visit register for December 4, 2024, and provide concrete evidence to support their denial.
He also called on the Minister of Interior Affairs Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, to lead the investigation and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.
Georgewill accused the Enugu Correctional Facility, saying that Chikezie, committed the crime while in prison.
According to the him, investigation revealed that Chikezie was in detention since 2021 for cultism-related charges and allegedly orchestrated the crime from within the facility.
Georgewill also questioned the credibility of the correctional facility’s officials, demanding answers on how Chikezie was able to carry out the crime while in custody.
He said: “We are not claiming, we are stating as a matter of fact that he committed this crime while in prison. We make bold to make this claim because, our shadow investigation showed that the charge that brought him to Enugu Correctional facility was cultism.
“And it was from what we gathered that it was since 2021 he had been in custody. And it was from there he released the account to the victim’s father. It is left for the warders at Enugu Correctional Facility to tell us if they released him to carry out the act or he has a network that is carrying out the act.
“He was in detention during when the crime was committed and we are saying that he is the prime suspect. We are questioning the credibility of the officials of the Enugu Correctional Service. They have a lot of questions to answer, otherwise they should release him to come and answer the questions himself.”
He further demanded that if the allegations are found to be true, the NCoS Spokesperson, Umar Abubakar, should be sacked for damaging the image of the government.
He added: “The Minister for Interior should immediately step in and where the Spokesperson for the correctional service is found culpable or had gone to press without doing his investigation, we want the Minister to recommend for his sack.
“We are equally saying that the Comptroller General of the Correctional Service, should come clean. If he is not the one that instructed the Spokesperson of the Correctional Service to make that statement, and, immediately conduct investigation and distance himself from this accusations otherwise we will be forced to think that he is equally culpable and as such should be sacked.”
Meanwhile, father of the 12-year-old victim who has been in captivity for over 8 months expressed disappointment with the Public Relations Officer of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Umar Abubakar for quickly debunking the allegation without a thorough investigation.
According to Oluwaseyi, he visited the Enugu Correctional Centre on December 4, 2024 with police officers and identified the suspect, Chikezie alias Chiboy.
He explained that when they got to the Correctional Centre Chikezie was not dressed in prison uniform.
He questioned how an inmate could make video calls and wear a wristwatch that didn’t resemble a prison uniform.
“On the 4th of December 2024, me with four police men from the Special Operation and intelligence Unit – tactical unit attached to Mile 1 Division visited the Enugu Correctional.
“I saw the suspect myself. The suspect did not dress like a prisoner, not in prison uniform, the wrist watch he put on was not that of who is in prison. Even people that have freedom do not use the kind of wrist watch he wore. I expected to see a young man in the prison in Uniform.
“How can someone who is an inmate be doing video calls on a steady basis. How do I come to know of this ? Of course, he did the same video call with his wife several times when she was arrested and brought to Port Harcourt. However, the wife was released without cogent reason or a surety,” he said.
Oluwaseyi demanded justice and called for those involved in his daughter’s kidnap to be brought to book. He expressed his desire for his daughter’s safe return, especially with her birthday approaching.
The father further claimed that he has evidence, including pictures of the suspect and his wife, and claims the suspect’s wife was released without reason or surety after being arrested.
He added: “I have his wife picture, his picture and his name is Chidiebere Chikezie alias Chiboy.
“I just need my daughter back. What will give me the best joy is for Favour to be released because on Saturday this week will be her birthday and this will be the great joy of the entire family. I want everyone involved in this to be brought to Justice.”
