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rights activist and publisher Omoyele Sowore should he be remanded there, following reports that his bail may have been revoked.
The allegations come amid heightened tension inside the facility after the death of a Rwandan national identified as Benjamin Relasss while in custody at the centre, a development that has already prompted an investigation by a panel dispatched from the Nigeria Correctional Service headquarters in Abuja.
Sources said the situation inside the prison became more tense after recent reports exposed alleged neglect and poor conditions within the facility, forcing officials to hold an emergency meeting over growing public attention.
According to multiple sources, shortly after the report circulated online, officials convened a closed-door meeting to discuss the death of the foreign inmate, the condition of another critically ill prisoner who had recently been moved to a hospital, and concerns over possible information leaks from inside the facility.
“They held a meeting 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 alleged that when the investigative panel arrived from headquarters to probe the death of the Rwandan inmate and assess the condition of the hospitalized prisoner, the sick inmate had already been moved out of the facility before the panel’s visit.
“Panel members came 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 some correctional centre officials of instructing inmates to contribute money to buy adult diapers for the critically ill inmate instead of providing institutional support.
“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.”
Further allegations suggest that prison officials have become increasingly suspicious that inmates may be responsible for leaking information about conditions inside the facility, warning that this could trigger a wider crackdown and cell searches.
“They are already accusing inmates of posting information online, and they believe this could lead to a general search inside the prison,” a source added.
The alleged concerns have reportedly escalated fears within the facility, particularly as officials are said to be monitoring individuals linked to recent media reports exposing conditions inside the centre.
SaharaReporters had previously reported that Relasss died while awaiting trial in a financial-related case before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in 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 also alleged that inmates requiring specialised medical care outside the correctional facility often face significant delays, with some officials allegedly demanding payments before approving referrals to external hospitals, despite the facility’s limited medical capacity.
“Benjamin Relasss, a Rwandan citizen, died inside Kuje Prison due to outright neglect and care by an overambitious and money mongering officer in the facility,” a source alleged.
“The officer demands huge cash from inmates who are sick before allowing them to be taken to hospitals outside because the Kuje facility lacks adequate equipment and medical specialists.”
“He died while awaiting trial on a financial-related case before the Federal High Court, Abuja,” the source added.
As of the time of filing this report, the Nigerian Correctional Service had yet to issue an official response to the allegations or the circumstances surrounding the death of the inmate. Calls and messages to the Service’s spokesperson reportedly went unanswered.