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The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Lagos State Command, has confirmed that award-winning singer Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, popularly known as Burna Boy, alongside social media commentator Otse Vincent, also known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), recently visited the Maximum Security Custodial Centre in Kirikiri, Apapa, Lagos.
According to the command, the visit was a formal and informational engagement aimed at helping the duo better understand the lawful procedures involved in supporting inmates who are eligible for release through the payment of court-imposed fines.
In a statement released on Sunday, the Lagos State Command explained that the visit was purely a courtesy call, designed to familiarise the visitors with the administrative and legal processes governing such interventions, in strict compliance with existing correctional laws and regulations.
The Public Relations Officer of the command, Osho Onimisi Joseph, disclosed that Burna Boy and VeryDarkMan were received by the newly appointed Officer-in-Charge of the facility, Deputy Controller of Corrections, Sanni Richard. During the engagement, officials reportedly provided detailed explanations on how inmate discharge through fine payment works and the safeguards guiding the process.
Joseph stated that the visitors were taken through the eligibility requirements for inmates, as well as the verification and documentation procedures that must be completed before any release can be approved. He emphasized that the system is structured to ensure transparency, accountability, and full compliance with judicial directives.
According to him, the Nigerian Correctional Service does not act outside the law or on personal influence when processing the release of inmates. “No inmate is released without proper verification, documentation, and authorization in accordance with extant laws,” he said.
He further noted that only inmates whose sentences include the option of a fine, as ordered by a competent court, can benefit from such interventions. Even in such cases, approvals must pass through clearly defined institutional channels before any action is taken.
The correctional spokesperson also used the opportunity to reassure the public about the welfare standards within custodial facilities under the NCoS. He stated that inmates are held under conditions that meet both national and internationally recognised guidelines.
“Furthermore, the general public is assured that inmates in NCoS custody are held in safe, secure, and humane conditions, in line with the Nigerian Correctional Service Act, 2019, the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, also known as the Nelson Mandela Rules, and other globally accepted best practices,” Joseph said.
He added that the protection of inmates’ rights, dignity, welfare, and rehabilitation remains a central responsibility of the Service. According to him, correctional centres are not only places of custody but also institutions focused on reforming individuals and preparing them for successful reintegration into society.
The Lagos State Command also commended individuals and groups who show genuine interest in lawful efforts aimed at promoting access to justice and reducing congestion in custodial centres. Joseph noted that such engagements, when carried out within the boundaries of the law, contribute positively to strengthening the justice system.
“The Lagos State Command appreciates individuals and organisations who demonstrate interest in lawful initiatives that promote access to justice, custodial decongestion, and humane treatment of inmates,” he said, while encouraging sustained collaboration that respects established procedures.
He further reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigerian Correctional Service to its statutory mandate, which includes safe custody, humane treatment, reformation, rehabilitation, and the eventual reintegration of inmates into society as responsible citizens.
The visit by Burna Boy and VeryDarkMan has since generated conversations online, with many Nigerians discussing the role of influential figures in supporting justice-related causes and prison reform efforts. However, correctional authorities clarified that the engagement was strictly informational and not tied to the immediate release of any specific inmate.
While neither Burna Boy nor VeryDarkMan has issued a personal statement detailing their visit, the NCoS emphasized that such interactions reflect growing public interest in understanding correctional processes and supporting lawful initiatives that enhance transparency and fairness within the justice system.
The development highlights ongoing efforts by the Nigerian Correctional Service to engage stakeholders, promote accountability, and encourage constructive partnerships that align with its mission of reform, rehabilitation, and reintegration.
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