In a move that has sparked outrage and concern for the welfare of political prisoners in the country, the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS) has reportedly placed Charles Okah, the infamous 'Independence Day Bomber' currently serving a sentence for his role in the 2010 bombings, in solitary confinement. This drastic action follows Okah’s recent claims of severe corruption within Borno’s correctional facilities, which he publicly exposed in a series of letters addressed to various human rights organizations.
Okah, who has been incarcerated for over a decade, made shocking revelations regarding widespread corruption among prison staff in Borno, alleging bribery, extortion, and mistreatment of inmates. He further accused the prison authorities of covering up criminal activities involving both inmates and correctional officers, including the trafficking of illegal goods into the facility.
In retaliation to these disclosures, sources inside the correctional system confirmed that Okah was swiftly moved to solitary confinement, a practice typically reserved for inmates deemed to be at risk of violence or who exhibit behavior threatening to the security of the prison. Okah’s legal team has denounced the decision, calling it an act of retaliation aimed at silencing him and suppressing further whistleblowing on corrupt practices within the prison system.
As part of the punitive measures, Okah has also been denied access to his prescribed medications, a critical aspect of his ongoing treatment for health conditions exacerbated by his imprisonment. Additionally, his family has been barred from visiting him, despite repeated requests for visitation under his human rights.
Rights groups, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have expressed their alarm over Okah’s current situation, calling it a blatant violation of his rights as a prisoner under both Nigerian law and international human rights agreements. They have condemned the denial of medical treatment and family contact, demanding his immediate return to regular prison conditions, where he can receive appropriate care and continue his legal proceedings without fear of reprisal.
Human rights advocates have also questioned the integrity of the Nigerian Correctional Service's handling of whistleblowers, warning that Okah’s case could be indicative of broader systemic abuses within the country’s penal system.
Charles Okah’s exposure of the corruption within Borno Prison has added to the growing calls for transparency and reform in Nigeria's prison system, with many demanding thorough investigations into the allegations of misconduct. The Nigerian government has yet to release an official statement regarding Okah’s confinement, leaving the public to speculate on the true motives behind his punishment.