Prison officials sell cell spaces for N300,000 to rich inmates – Agba Jalingo alleges
Civil rights activist and journalist, Agba Jalingo, has raised alarm over what he described as deep-rooted corruption in Nigeria’s correctional system, alleging that some prison officials sell cell spaces to wealthy inmates for as much as ₦300,000.
Speaking during an Investigative and Accountability Journalism Masterclass organised by the Agba Jalingo Foundation in Calabar, the activist claimed the illegal practice is widespread across correctional centres in the country.
“I am saying emphatically that some prison officials sell cell spaces to richer inmates,” Jalingo said. “Some charge ₦250,000, ₦300,000 or more. I know this because I spent time there and saw how it works.”
Jalingo, who was previously detained at the Afokang Federal Correctional Centre in Calabar, described his experience as an eye-opener that exposed systemic corruption and inequality within the prison system. He noted that many inmates remain behind bars for minor offences or lack of legal representation simply because they cannot afford to pay bribes.
He also revealed that his time in detention inspired him to advocate for wrongly imprisoned individuals, leading to his recent appeal to Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, to grant clemency to deserving inmates.
“Before my birthday, I wrote to Governor Otu asking him to extend mercy to some inmates, and he surprised me by releasing 54 of them,” Jalingo said, commending the governor’s humane response.
He, however, urged the Nigerian Correctional Service to investigate the alleged sale of cell spaces and take decisive steps to eliminate corruption within the system, ensuring fairness and dignity for all inmates, regardless of their financial status.
