Metro
Convicted Robber Caught Processing Passport In Lagos Office
By Benjamin Abioye

A scandal erupted after Haruna Ayo, a convicted armed robber serving time at Kirikiri prison, was caught processing a passport at a Lagos immigration office.
A major scandal has rocked the Nigerian Correctional Service after a convicted armed robber, Haruna Ayo, was caught trying to obtain a passport and visa while still serving his sentence at Kirikiri Maximum Security Custodial Centre in Lagos.
Ayo, who had his life sentence reduced to 21 years, was due for release on October 11, 2025. On the day of the incident, he was among five inmates selected to do house chores at the residence of the officer in charge of the facility.
While outside the prison, a senior officer reportedly directed another to release Ayo into his custody. He was then taken to the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) office in FESTAC Town to begin processing travel documents.
Suspicion arose when the officer who accompanied Ayo became impatient and mentioned needing to return him to custody. Immigration officials, sensing something was wrong, detained both Ayo and the officer, then reported the incident to superiors.
According to reports, including one by Saturday PUNCH, the matter was escalated to the Correctional Service headquarters in Lagos. Two officers were suspended, though insiders believe more people could be involved. One source said, “This appears to be part of a wider network of corruption. The officers suspended may not be the only ones culpable.”
Further findings showed that Ayo had been faking illness to leave prison for medical visits, which he allegedly used as cover to work on his passport application. “This started last year and progressed unnoticed until the Bobrisky case brought increased scrutiny,” a prison official disclosed, adding that three medical tests had confirmed Ayo was healthy.
Experts are alarmed by how far a serving inmate got in the immigration process. One observer said, “How could a convict nearing the end of a 21-year sentence be processing travel documents? Was he planning an escape? It’s a national embarrassment.”
NCoS spokesperson, Abubakar Umar, confirmed the incident and the suspension of one officer. “The Comptroller-General does not tolerate misconduct or acts of sabotage. The investigation is ongoing, and any officer found guilty will be dismissed,” he said. He added that under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, officers are expected to uphold discipline and integrity.
The incident has raised broader concerns about corruption in Nigeria’s prison system. PUNCH in the report recalled previous misconduct cases, including one where officials allegedly collected N35 million to give crossdresser Idris Okuneye, also known as Bobrisky, special privileges. In another case, warders were said to have smuggled an inmate out to visit his girlfriend.
Human rights lawyer, Tolu Babaleye, described the situation as deeply troubling. “Inmates are supposed to be reformed behind bars, not roaming free or doing errands for officers. This undermines justice and makes a mockery of the correctional system,” he said.
He warned that if such actions go unchecked, they could lead to more escapes or repeated crimes. The scandal has renewed calls for urgent reforms and stronger oversight of prison staff across the country.
Source: PUNCH
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