NCoS Removes Ibara Prison Officials After Death Row Inmate Goes Live on TikTok

The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has removed the Officer-in-Charge of the Ibara Medium Custodial Centre in Abeokuta, Ogun State, along with two other principal officers, after a death row inmate appeared in a viral TikTok livestream using an unauthorised mobile phone.

The inmate, Elijah Oyebode, was sentenced to death by hanging in 2019 after the Osun State High Court convicted him of the murder of Rofiat Adebisi, a final-year student of Osun State University. Court records showed that Oyebode gave conflicting accounts of the incident before later denying involvement during trial. He was found guilty based on medical and other evidence presented before the court.

Despite being on death row, Oyebode allegedly operated an active TikTok account. Reports indicated that one of the accounts attained Level 20 gifting status, enabling him to receive monetary gifts during livestreams. Investigators also linked him to another account allegedly used to impersonate a TikTok creator and activist.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the NCoS Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent of Corrections JN Osuji, described the incident as a serious breach of custodial security and a violation of regulations governing correctional facilities.

The Service said preliminary investigations confirmed that the inmate unlawfully possessed a prohibited mobile phone, which he used to access social media while in custody. The device has since been recovered during a search operation and secured as evidence.

According to the statement, Oyebode has been transferred to another custodial facility where he is being held under enhanced security while investigations continue.

The NCoS further disclosed that the Officer-in-Charge of the Ibara Medium Custodial Centre and two other principal officers had been relieved of their duties pending the outcome of the investigation.

It warned that any official found to have facilitated, aided, condoned, or failed in their responsibilities in connection with the incident would face appropriate disciplinary and administrative sanctions in line with existing regulations.