NCoS Removes Ibara Prison Officials After Death Row Inmate Livestream on TikTok

The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has removed the Officer-in-Charge of the Ibara Medium Custodial Centre in Abeokuta, Ogun State, and two other senior officers following a security breach involving a death row inmate who allegedly operated TikTok accounts and conducted livestreams from custody.

The inmate, identified as Elijah Oyebode, was reportedly able to obtain and use a prohibited mobile phone inside the correctional facility, raising questions about how the device entered the prison and how the inmate was able to access social media while awaiting execution.

Oyebode was sentenced to death by hanging in 2019 after an Osun State High Court found him guilty of murdering Rofiat Adebisi, a final-year student of Osun State University.

During the trial, Oyebode reportedly gave different accounts of the circumstances surrounding the incident before eventually denying involvement. However, the court convicted him after considering medical evidence and other materials presented by the prosecution.

The latest controversy centres on claims that Oyebode was able to maintain an active presence on TikTok despite being held on death row.

Reports indicate that one of the accounts linked to him allegedly reached Level 20 gifting status, a feature that allows creators to receive monetary gifts from viewers during livestreams.

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

The development has raised questions about the level of access inmates have to prohibited communication devices and the effectiveness of security checks within custodial facilities.

NCoS confirms security breach
The NCoS confirmed the disciplinary action in a statement issued on Thursday by its Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent of Corrections JN Osuji.

Osuji described the incident as a serious breach of custodial regulations and prison security protocols.

According to him, preliminary investigations established that Oyebode was in possession of a prohibited mobile phone, which he allegedly 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 said the recovery of the phone would form part of the ongoing investigation into how the inmate obtained the device and used it from inside the facility.

Following the discovery, Oyebode has reportedly been moved to another custodial facility where he is being held under enhanced security measures.

The NCoS said the transfer was made while investigations continue into the circumstances surrounding the breach.

The Officer-in-Charge of the Ibara Medium Custodial Centre and two other principal officers have also been removed from their positions pending the outcome of the probe.

The disciplinary action signals the seriousness with which the correctional authorities are treating the incident, particularly because the inmate was a death row prisoner and was allegedly able to maintain an online presence from inside the facility.

Questions over prison security
The case has also reopened concerns about the ability of correctional facilities to prevent inmates from accessing mobile phones and other prohibited communication devices.

Beyond the TikTok livestreams themselves, the incident raises questions about how an inmate awaiting execution could allegedly access a smartphone, connect to the internet, interact with members of the public and potentially receive financial gifts without detection.

For the NCoS, the immediate priority is determining how the security breach occurred and whether other individuals were involved.

The service said the investigation would establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and determine responsibility.

Until the probe is concluded, the authorities have not disclosed how long Oyebode allegedly had access to the device or whether anyone outside the custodial centre assisted him.

The removal of the three officers is therefore expected to remain subject to the outcome of the investigation.