EXCLUSIVE(SaharaReporters): Kuje Prison Doctor Ezigbe Under Fire Over Rwandan Inmate's Death

An investigation into the passing of Rwandan national Benjamin Relasss at the Kuje Correctional Centre has brought to light serious accusations of negligence against the facility's medical officer, Dr. Abraham Ezigbe. Sources within the prison who spoke to SaharaReporters indicate that preliminary findings from the inquest, led by an Assistant Controller General of the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS), point directly to Dr. Ezigbe.

According to these sources, Dr. Ezigbe informed the investigative team that Relasss had never sought treatment at the prison hospital. However, internal hospital records reportedly contradict this assertion, revealing that the deceased had a documented medical history at the facility. "The preliminary investigation shows total negligence from the side of the medical officer in charge," a source was quoted as saying. The source further elaborated, "Dr. Abraham Ezigbe told the team that late Benjamin Relasss, the Rwandan national, never came to the hospital, but records show clearly that he has a history in the hospital."

Further claims suggest that Relasss eventually stopped attending the clinic because he could not meet the alleged financial demands from Dr. Ezigbe and other senior officers. Multiple sources have painted a picture of Dr. Ezigbe as an individual who routinely extorts money from sick inmates, demanding payment before approving transfers to external medical facilities. He is also accused of showing little concern for patient welfare, being frequently absent from the prison, and allegedly operating a private clinic concurrently.

The allegations extend beyond medical misconduct. Sources also claimed that certain prison officials are involved in drug trafficking, dealing in substances like cocaine, methamphetamine, and cannabis. There are also claims of mobile phones being smuggled into the facility, even for detainees facing terrorism-related charges.

In a related development, inmates allege that the recent transfer of a fellow detainee, identified as Dr. George Davidson, to the Sokoto Correctional Centre was a deliberate move to suppress internal dissent. Dr. Davidson, described as an activist and a vocal advocate for inmates' rights, was reportedly transferred without official confirmation. "Recently, the authority transferred an innocent man, an activist, a voice for the voiceless, to Sokoto, just to silence him and instil fear into inmates," a source stated, adding, "Dr. George Davidson was firm on the need for the right thing to be done always."

SaharaReporters had initially broken the story of Relasss's death on Tuesday, prompting the NCoS headquarters in Abuja to dispatch an investigative panel. Following the publication, Kuje officials reportedly held an emergency meeting to address the mounting public scrutiny. The meeting’s agenda included Relasss's death, the critical condition of another sick inmate who had been transferred to a hospital, and concerns regarding information leaks from within the prison.

"They held a meeting today because of the news circulating online about the prison," a source revealed. The source added, "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."

Interestingly, sources further alleged that the critically ill inmate was moved out of the facility before the investigative panel arrived to assess his condition and probe Relasss's death. "Panel members came from the headquarters 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 claimed.

Moreover, the prison management is accused of instructing inmates to contribute ₦15,000 to purchase adult diapers for the critically ill prisoner, rather than the facility providing the necessary support. "They asked inmates to contribute money to buy diapers for the sick man. The inmates contributed ₦15,000 for the diapers," one source disclosed. "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."

Amidst these revelations, prison officials have reportedly grown suspicious that inmates are behind the media leaks, cautioning that this could lead to extensive searches of cells and detainees.

Attempts to get a statement from the Nigerian Correctional Service regarding these allegations and the circumstances surrounding Relasss’s death were unsuccessful. The Service’s National Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent of Corrections (CSC) Jane Osuji, did not respond to calls or text messages.

These alleged actions at Kuje appear to be in direct contravention of a directive issued by the Controller General of Corrections on August 25, 2025. This radio message, sent to all zonal coordinators, correctional centre commanders, and health workers, explicitly stated that "on no account should any inmates be left untreated and allowed to die," and that "no resources should be spared on inmates' treatment and care." The directive also mandated that officials must pay for referred inmates' treatments upfront and then seek reimbursement from headquarters, outlining a clear refund process requiring specific documentation such as hospital referral evidence, medical reports, original payment receipts, and photographs of the sick inmate. The death of a Rwandan national months after this directive, coupled with inmates allegedly contributing funds for another prisoner's diapers, suggests a significant disregard for these official instructions.

Relasss, a Rwandan national, died while awaiting trial in a financial case before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja. He had been in detention since 2023, reportedly denied bail because he was not a Nigerian citizen.