Multiple sources at the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja have alleged that officials at the facility are discussing plans to target human rights activist and publisher Omoyele Sowore, should he be remanded there following reports that his bail has been revoked.
The development comes after SaharaReporters exclusively reported the death of a Rwandan national identified as Benjamin Relasss while in custody at the Kuje Correctional Centre, prompting an investigation by a panel dispatched from the Nigeria Correctional Service headquarters in Abuja.
Multiple sources told SaharaReporters that shortly after the report was published, officials at the facility convened an emergency meeting to discuss the growing public attention surrounding conditions inside the prison.
According to the sources, the meeting focused on the death of the Rwandan inmate, the condition of another critically ill inmate who had recently been transferred to a hospital, and concerns over information being leaked from inside the facility.
“They held a meeting today (Thursday) because of the news circulating online about the prison,” one source said.
“The sick inmate, who has about five months left to complete his sentence, has now been taken out of the facility to the hospital. He was already in a very critical condition. However, he may survive, but his survival now depends on who will finance his treatment because, in Nigeria, without money, there is usually no treatment in hospitals.”
Sources further stated that when the investigative panel arrived to probe the Rwandan inmate’s death and inspect the condition of the sick prisoner, authorities had already moved the hospitalised inmate out of the facility before the panel’s visit.
“Panel members came from the headquarters over the Rwandan man who died and the inmate that was taken to the hospital. But before the panel arrived, they moved the sick inmate out,” another source alleged.
The sources also accused the correctional centre’s management of directing inmates to pool money to purchase adult diapers for the critically ill inmate rather than providing the necessary support themselves.
“They asked inmates to contribute money to buy diapers for the sick man. The inmates contributed ₦15,000 for the diapers,” one source said.
“Those in charge would not spend any money on the inmate’s treatment. His survival now depends entirely on whether there is money to pay for his medical care outside the prison.”
The sources also claimed that prison officials have grown increasingly suspicious that inmates are behind the media reports exposing abuses within the facility, and warned that the leaks could trigger a comprehensive search of inmates and their cells.
“They are already accusing inmates of posting information online, and they believe this could lead to a general search inside the prison,” one source said.
More significantly, the sources said officials raised the subject of Sowore, the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), during the meeting, after hearing that his bail had been revoked.
“They discussed a plan because they heard Sowore’s bail has been revoked. They are preparing for him badly if he is brought here,” one source added.
SaharaReporters had previously reported that Relasss died on Tuesday morning while awaiting trial in a financial case before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja.
He had been in detention since 2023 after being denied bail, reportedly on the grounds that he was not a Nigerian citizen.
Sources familiar with the matter alleged that inmates requiring specialised medical care outside the correctional facility routinely faced difficulties obtaining referrals, with some officials demanding substantial sums before approving treatment at external hospitals, despite the centre’s lack of adequate medical equipment and specialist personnel.
“Benjamin Relasss, a Rwandan citizen died inside Kuje Prison this morning (Tuesday) due to outright neglect and care by an overambitious and money mongering officer in the facility,” a source said.
“The officer demands huge cash from inmates who are sick before allowing the patient to be recommended to hospitals outside because the Kuje facility lacks adequate equipment and medical specialists.”
“Today, the Rwandan citizen Benjamin Relasss is dead while awaiting trial on a financial-related case before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja,” the source added.
Efforts to obtain a response from the Nigerian Correctional Service regarding the allegations and the circumstances surrounding Relasss’ death were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
The Service’s National Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent of Corrections (CSC) Jane Osuji, neither answered phone calls nor responded to a text message seeking comment.
(SaharaReporters)
