Serious allegations of medical negligence, extortion, and internal corruption have emerged from the Kuje Correctional Centre, following the death of a Rwandan national currently under investigation by the Nigeria Correctional Service.
Sources within the facility claim an Assistant Controller General of the Nigeria Correctional Service visited the prison to lead an inquest into the circumstances surrounding the inmate’s death, identified as Benjamin Relasss. Preliminary findings, according to insiders, are already pointing toward possible negligence by the medical officer in charge.
A key point of contention centers on conflicting accounts over whether the deceased ever received treatment at the prison clinic. While the medical officer, Dr. Abraham Ezigbe, reportedly told investigators that the inmate never visited the facility’s hospital, alleged medical records said to be in circulation suggest he had an established history of treatment at the clinic.
“The preliminary investigation shows total negligence from the side of the medical officer in charge,” one source said. “He claimed the inmate never came to the hospital, but records show clearly that he had a medical history there.”
Sources further allege that the deceased may have stopped seeking medical attention after being unable to meet financial demands reportedly associated with access to care.
Beyond the immediate death under investigation, multiple inmates have leveled serious accusations against the prison’s medical system. Dr. Ezigbe is alleged by some inmates to have demanded payment before approving referrals to external hospitals, while also being accused of poor attendance and running a private clinic outside the facility.
There are also wider, unverified claims from inmates alleging that some prison officials are involved in smuggling contraband—including drugs and mobile phones—into the facility, even for inmates facing terrorism-related charges.
In a separate allegation, inmates claim that a vocal prisoner advocate identified as Dr. George Davidson was recently transferred to Sokoto Correctional Centre in what they describe as an attempt to silence internal criticism of prison conditions. Authorities have not confirmed this claim.
Following increased media attention—reportedly sparked by earlier investigative reporting from Sahara Reporters—sources say prison officials held an emergency internal meeting addressing the death, the condition of another critically ill inmate, and concerns over information leaks.
One source described worsening conditions for sick inmates, alleging that access to hospital care often depends on financial capacity.
“The sick inmate was already in very critical condition before being moved,” the source said. “Now survival depends on who can pay for treatment. Without money, there is usually no treatment.”
Authorities have not issued a comprehensive public response to the allegations, and none of the claims have been independently verified. Investigations are ongoing.
