The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), formerly known as Nigerian Prison Service, has explained why it permitted a 300-level Mass Communication student of the University of Lagos, Chidinma Ojukwu, and other inmates at its facilities to participate in a beauty pageant.
Ojukwu, prime suspect in the alleged murder of the Chief Executive Officer of Super TV, Usifo Ataga in June 2021, is standing trial for the offence at the Lagos High Court, Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS), Lagos.
Pictures of Chidinma and some other inmates participating in a beauty pageant on Thursday surfaced online.
Chidinma, a 300-level Mass Communication student of the University of Lagos, and two others are on trial over Ataga’s murder.
She participated in a beauty pageant alongside other ladies at the correctional facility and emerged the winner of the competition.
NCoS Lagos State Command confirmed the news, explaining the reason behind the beauty pageant.
The Command’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Rotimi Oladokun said the pageant was only one of several other activities organised to mark International Women’s Day (IWD).
IWD is celebrated annually on March 8, to commemorate the social, political and economic achievements of women.
He explained that Chidinma could have been a representative of a block.
“There were representatives for each block, so maybe the inmate you are referring to was one of such representatives, but it was not an individual event, it was a collective one commemorating International Women’s Day,” Oladokun added.
Otunba Sesan Limelite had posted on his Facebook page on Thursday morning, “Chidinma Ojukwu, the alleged killer of Super TV CEO, Micheal Ataga has been crowned as MISS CELL 2022 at a beauty pageant held within Kirikiri correctional facility to mark the 2022 International Women’s Day.”
Some of those who commented on the post however expressed disappointment at the pageant.
For instance, Okeneye Washington Oluwaseun Ayobami said, “We are all mad in this country! So Micheal Ataga’s ghost will b clapping for her in d grave.”
Asiwaju Amid Oluwasheun Oloriire said, “What nonsense! Ẹni t’oku ni tiẹ gbé hmmmmm, its better someone don’t wait to be killed or else hmmmmm.
“All the inmates in different cell blocks presented various programmes. Some did theatre presentations, others drama, some poetry, some beauty pageant, some drawings, paintings, comedy. So, various blocks won. It was just like an inter-cell block event.
“There were lots of presentations. It was not an individual thing. It was just the facility’s way of trying to reform the inmates, those still in custody.
“So, that’s why they commemorated International Women’s Day, that’s why it was done in the female facility, not the male’s.”
Referring to Ojukwu, the spokesman said: “The particular inmate, I don’t know her name. There were various winners.
“The costumes were made by the inmates in the facility and some of the winners got sponsorship to pay for their UME forms, NECO, WASSCE and higher education.
“Some donated libraries to us, apart from some other stationery, and welfare resources. It was not an individual event, so the prizes were collective.”