The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has removed the officer in charge of the Ibara Custodial Centre in Abeokuta and transferred a death row inmate after an investigation revealed he was using TikTok from inside the prison.
The action followed a Nigerian Tribune report that exposed how the inmate, Elijah Oyebode, hosted TikTok Live sessions and allegedly ran businesses while on death row.
In a statement signed by the Chief Superintendent of Corrections, Jane Osuji, on behalf of the Controller General of Corrections, Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche, the Service said its preliminary investigation confirmed that Oyebode illegally possessed a mobile phone, which he used to access social media while in custody.
The phone has been recovered and kept as evidence, while the inmate has been moved to another correctional facility with tighter security as investigations continue.
The Controller General also ordered the immediate removal of the officer in charge of Ibara Custodial Centre and two other senior officers to allow for a fair and transparent investigation.
According to the Service, investigators have identified security lapses that may have allowed the breach. It warned that any officer, inmate or outside collaborator found to have helped, ignored or encouraged the incident would face disciplinary action.
However, the NCoS statement did not respond to several allegations made by Oyebode during his TikTok Live sessions. He claimed that more than 2,000 smartphones were being used by about 1,000 inmates in the prison.
He also alleged that some correctional officers smuggled phones into the facility for money, demanded payments before returning seized devices and even helped wealthy inmates leave the prison temporarily to visit private homes and hotels.
The statement also made no mention of Oyebode’s claims about an illegal drug trade operating inside the prison.
While the Correctional Service has taken action, TikTok has not publicly commented on the matter. Oyebode’s account, @ayola.oluwafu, disappeared from the platform on August 4, but the company has not confirmed whether it removed the account or why it is no longer available.
The NCoS thanked members of the public and the media for bringing the issue to light and urged Nigerians to avoid speculation while investigations continue.
The Service said it remains committed to improving security, strengthening accountability and ensuring the safe and secure custody of inmates across correctional centres in the country.
