A convicted murderer sentenced to death has reportedly been operating multiple TikTok accounts, hosting live sessions, receiving monetary gifts and allegedly running business activities from inside the Ibara Maximum Security Custodial Centre in Abeokuta, Ogun State, raising fresh concerns over security breaches in Nigerian correctional facilities.
As reported by Tribune, the inmate, Elijah Oyebode, was sentenced to death by hanging in 2019 by an Osun State High Court after being convicted for the murder of Rofiat Adebisi, a final-year student of Osun State University, Ipetu Ijesa campus.
An investigation by Tribune, revealed that despite being on death row, Oyebode maintained an active presence on TikTok, where he interacted with followers, participated in live broadcasts and allegedly earned money through virtual gifts.
The report also alleged that the condemned inmate operated more than one TikTok account and used one of them to impersonate a female content creator before later changing the account details after being confronted.
According to the findings, Oyebode claimed during one of his livestreams that several inmates had unrestricted access to mobile phones and internet services within the custodial facility.
He further alleged that some correctional officers smuggled phones and other prohibited items into the prison in exchange for money, while claiming that some inmates also operated businesses and supervised projects outside the facility with the assistance of corrupt officials.
The investigation further claimed that the inmate received financial support from social media users, participated in online betting and maintained communication with people outside the prison despite restrictions expected in a maximum-security facility.
Reacting to the allegations, the Nigerian Correctional Service acknowledged that the smuggling of prohibited items into custodial centres remained a challenge but insisted it had a zero-tolerance policy against staff misconduct.
The Service's National Public Relations Officer, Jane Osuji, said the agency could not immediately verify all the claims but admitted that "bad eggs" could exist within the system.
She disclosed that more than 1,400 personnel had faced disciplinary actions, including dismissal, suspension and demotion, over various acts of misconduct, adding that routine and surprise searches were regularly conducted in correctional centres.
Osuji also appealed to members of the public to stop sending money or gifts to inmates through social media platforms, warning that such actions could undermine rehabilitation efforts and pose serious security risks.
Cybersecurity expert, Prof. Tunde Olabiyisi, urged the authorities to deploy technology capable of blocking unauthorised mobile devices within correctional facilities, saying such measures would significantly reduce illegal communication from prisons.
The investigation also questioned how the inmate's activities escaped detection for months despite TikTok's content moderation systems, prompting renewed calls for stronger oversight of both correctional facilities and social media platforms operating in Nigeria.
Read for story full at TRIBUNE
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