NCoS removes prison officials after death row inmate goes live on TikTok from custody

The Nigerian Correctional Service, NCoS, has removed the Officer-in-Charge of the Ibara Medium Custodial Centre in Abeokuta, Ogun State, alongside two other senior officers, following a security breach involving a death row inmate who allegedly conducted TikTok live sessions from prison.

The inmate, identified as Elijah Oyebode, was sentenced to death by hanging in 2019 after an Osun State High Court convicted him of the murder of Rofiat Adebisi, a final-year student of Osun State University.

According to court records, Oyebode gave conflicting accounts of the incident before eventually denying involvement during his trial.

However, the court found him guilty based on medical evidence and other materials presented before it.

Reports indicate that despite being on death row, Oyebode allegedly maintained an active presence on TikTok, where one of his accounts reportedly attained Level 20 gifting status, enabling him to receive monetary gifts during livestreams.

He was also allegedly linked to another TikTok account created to impersonate a popular content creator and activist.

Confirming the development in a statement issued on Thursday, the Public Relations Officer of the NCoS, Chief Superintendent of Corrections, JN Osuji, described the incident as a serious violation of custodial regulations and a breach of prison security protocols.

Osuji said early investigations revealed that the inmate unlawfully possessed a prohibited mobile phone, which he used to access social media platforms while in custody.

“The device has been recovered and secured as an exhibit for further investigation,” the statement said.

The correctional service further disclosed that Oyebode has been transferred to another custodial facility and placed under enhanced security measures pending the conclusion of investigations.

It added that the Officer-in-Charge of the Ibara Medium Custodial Centre and two other principal officers had been removed from their positions pending the outcome of the ongoing probe.