EXCLUSIVE(SAHARA REPORTERS): Kuje Prison Officials Allegedly Plot Against Sowore After Exposé

Insiders at Abuja's Kuje Correctional Centre have reportedly claimed that some officials are strategizing to target activist Omoyele Sowore, should he be sent to the facility after his bail was reportedly revoked. This alleged development emerges in the wake of an exclusive SaharaReporters investigation into the death of Benjamin Relasss, a Rwandan national who died in Kuje custody, which subsequently triggered an inquiry by a special panel from the Nigeria Correctional Service headquarters.

Following the initial exposé, sources informed SaharaReporters that the prison management held an urgent meeting to address the increasing scrutiny on the facility's internal conditions. Discussions during this meeting, as revealed by the sources, centered on the demise of the Rwandan detainee, the critical state of another inmate recently moved to a hospital, and worries about sensitive information being disseminated from within the prison walls.

"They convened a meeting today (Thursday) due to the online reports concerning the correctional facility," an anonymous source disclosed. The informant further detailed that "The critically ill inmate, with only about five months remaining on his sentence, has been transferred from the facility to a hospital. He was already in a very serious state. His recovery, however, hinges on securing funds for his medical care, as treatment in Nigerian hospitals often requires upfront payment."

Furthermore, sources indicated that by the time the investigative team arrived from Abuja to examine the circumstances of the Rwandan inmate's death and assess the sick prisoner's condition, the authorities had already relocated the hospitalized individual. "Representatives from the headquarters visited regarding the deceased Rwandan and the inmate transported to the hospital. Yet, prior to their arrival, the sick prisoner had already been moved," another source claimed.

The correctional centre's leadership was also accused by these sources of instructing other inmates to contribute funds for adult diapers for the critically ill prisoner, instead of the institution providing the required aid. "They directed inmates to raise money for the sick man's diapers. The detainees collectively contributed ₦15,000 for these," a source revealed, adding, "The officials responsible showed no willingness to fund the inmate's treatment. His chances of survival are now completely tied to the availability of funds for his external medical attention."

Moreover, the informants alleged that prison staff have become increasingly distrustful, suspecting that inmates are responsible for leaking information to the media about alleged abuses within the facility. This suspicion, they warned, could prompt a widespread search of all inmates and their cells. "They are already pointing fingers at inmates for disseminating information online, and they anticipate this might result in a general search throughout the prison," one source stated.

Crucially, the sources revealed that officials brought up the name of Omoyele Sowore, the African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, during the meeting, following news of his bail revocation. "They deliberated on a scheme because they learned Sowore's bail had been withdrawn. They are making 'bad' preparations for him if he gets brought here," another source further disclosed.

SaharaReporters had earlier reported that Mr. Relasss passed away on Tuesday morning while awaiting trial on a financial matter presided over by Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja. He had been held in custody since 2023, reportedly denied bail because he was not a Nigerian national.

Individuals knowledgeable about the situation claimed that detainees needing specialized medical attention outside the prison often encountered obstacles in securing referrals. Some officers allegedly demanded significant payments before approving transfers to external hospitals, despite the Kuje centre lacking proper medical equipment and specialized staff. "Benjamin Relasss, a Rwandan citizen, died within Kuje Prison this morning (Tuesday) as a result of complete neglect and inadequate attention from an overly ambitious and money-driven officer at the facility," one source asserted. "This particular officer extracts large sums of money from sick inmates before endorsing their referral to external hospitals, mainly because the Kuje facility is deficient in adequate equipment and medical experts." The source reiterated, "Today, the Rwandan citizen, Benjamin Relasss, is deceased, having been on trial for a financial-related case before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja."

As of the time this report was compiled, attempts to elicit a comment from the Nigerian Correctional Service concerning these allegations and the specifics of Relasss's death proved fruitless. The National Public Relations Officer for the Service, Chief Superintendent of Corrections (CSC) Jane Osuji, did not answer calls or reply to a text message seeking her official statement.