Correctional Service Debunks Report on Ayomide Adeleye’s Custody

Kehinde Fajobi

The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) on Monday dismissed reports claiming that Ayomide Adeleye, an Awaiting Trial Person, is no longer in custody.

The Service clarified that Adeleye, 23, remains detained at the Maximum Security Custodial Centre in Kirikiri, Lagos.

According to NCoS spokesperson Umar Abubakar, Adeleye, who is facing charges of kidnapping and murder, was remanded on September 26, 2024, by Magistrate Court 13A, Ogba, Lagos.

He was last brought before the court on December 16, 2024, where the magistrate reaffirmed his detention pending advice from the Department of Public Prosecution.

Abubakar stated, “A misleading report in some sections of the media concocting that an Awaiting Trial Person, Ayomide Adeleye, is not in prison, has come to the attention of the Nigerian Correctional Service.

“To set the records straight, the said inmate, aged 23 years with Custody Number: S-1995/24, was remanded at the Maximum Security Custodial Centre, Kiri-Kiri, Lagos, for the offence of kidnapping and murder on the 26th September 2024 by Magistrate Court 13A, Ogba, Lagos state, and was produced to the same court on 16 December 2024.”

The NCoS attributed the confusion to a mix-up with a different inmate who had a similar name.

The other individual had been held at the Medium Security Custodial Centre for theft and was discharged on April 4, 2024, following a court order.

The Service condemned the misleading report and urged media outlets to verify their information before publication.

Abubakar added, “It is clear that the report was targeted at misleading the general public and bringing the image of the Service to disrepute.

“Media reporters are advised to confirm their information from appropriate quarters before going to press to avoid dishing out falsehood to the public.”

Acting Controller General of Corrections, Sylvester Nwakuche, reaffirmed the NCoS’s commitment to ensuring the safe custody and humane treatment of all inmates.

Nwakuche assured the public that the Service is dedicated to reforming and rehabilitating inmates for reintegration into society.