The management of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has declared that the authorities had no intention of glamorising criminality or injuring the sensibilities of the Atagas in their moments of grief.
The NCoS in a statement said it was aware of the backlashes generated by the “Miss Cell 2022” beauty pageant organised at the Kirikiri facility in Lagos to mark this year’s International Women’s Day Celebration.
21-year-old Chidinma Ojukwu who is facing trials for the murder of Super TV Chief Executive Officer, Usifo Ataga won the contest.
The contest generated uproar across the country with people raising concerns on why the event attracted wide publicity.
A statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of the Service, Francis Enobore, said it was on record that such events took place for the emotional stability of the inmates.
The statement partly reads:”The attention of the NCoS has been drawn to concerns raised in some quarters with respect to the recent events held at the Kirikiri Female Custodial Centre in Lagos to mark the International Women’s Day and note, with deep regrets, the unintended interpretations it has elicited from different quarters
“For the record, psychosocial engagements have traditionally been part of the Service’s inmates treatment regimes designed to provide emotional stability needed to promote the total well-being of inmates and enhance safe custody.
“It would be recalled that several celebrities and internationally recognised artistes such as Sam Okposo, Onyeka Owenu, Pasuma, Denrele, Lamboginny, to mention but a few, have carried out lavish concerts in the male custodial centres in Kirikiri and Ikoyi to celebrate with the inmates irrespective of their status.
“In 2000 to be specific, Channels Television covered a musical concert for male inmates in Ikoyi Custodial Centre where Dr. Sola Fosude, the Head of Department, Art & Music, Lagos State University praised the performance of the inmates and commended the personnel for their effort.
“The intention has never been to glamourise or make a hero out of criminality.”
He added, “While identifying with the Atagas in their moment of grief, the NCoS wishes to state, without equivocation, that it will do everything within its power to assist the course of justice in unveiling those behind the dastardly act.”
