Aroke: FG orders investigation into alleged $1m scam in Lagos Custodial Centre

Temitayo Ayoola

The Federal Government has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the allegation that a convicted inmate, Hope Olusegun Aroke serving a term in Kirikiri Maximum Security Custodial Centre, Lagos had master-minded an internet fraud to the tune of $1.0M from detention.

Controller-General of Nigerian Correctional Service, Mr Ja’afaru Ahmed, who ordered the investigation on Wednesday in Abuja vowed that any personnel of the service found to be an accomplice to the crime would be dealt with according to the law.

In a statement by the Public Relations Officer of the Correctional Service, Mr Francis Enobore, Ahmed said: “The attention of the Nigerian Correctional Service has been drawn to publications in respect of a convicted inmate, Hope Olusegun Aroke serving a term in Kirikiri Maximum Security Custodial Centre, Lagos alleged to have masterminded an internet fraud to the tune of $1.0million from detention.

“Considering the gravity of the accusation, the Controller General of Corrections, Jaáfaru Ahmed has ordered that a comprehensive investigation into the allegation should be carried out and the recommendations immediately forwarded to his office for appropriate action.

“Without prejudice to the outcome of the investigation, the CG wishes to assure members of the public that if any personnel is found to have been involved in the ignoble act, the culprit(s) will face the consequences as prescribed by the law.

“He further stressed that the modicum of discipline and integrity required of every personnel of Correctional Service in Nigeria will not be compromised under any circumstance,” statement said.

Aroke, who is the subject of an investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) reportedly organised the scam using a network of accomplices.

He was one of two Malaysia-based Nigerian undergraduate fraudsters arrested by the EFCC in 2012 at the 1004 Housing Estate, Victoria Island, Lagos, following a tip-off.