Kuje Prison Break: List of Top Nigerians in The Attacked Correctional Facility

The Kuje Correctional Facility was heavily attacked Tuesday night, which allowed some prisoners to escape.

The facility has taken over as the “VIP prison” for well-known Nigerians, replacing Kirikiri Maximum Security Correctional Facility. There are now several former MPs, governors, and terrorists living there.

Some well-known Nigerians, including the Senate Chief Whip, Orji Uzor Kalu, Adamawa Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, Olisa Metuh, and Femi Fani-Kayode, have had brief run-ins with the law.

As may be noted, the court denied Nnamdi Kanu’s request to be transferred to Kuje Prison while he is being held by the DSS. Nnamdi Kanu is the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra.

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Despite the correctional facility’s status, concerns have been raised in light of how easily terrorists were able to attack the facility and release several terrorists along with other detainees.

While terrorists conducted hours-long operations at the plant, Gwagwalada, which is only 15 minutes away, has a sizable military formation and numerous military checkpoints. Furthermore, the distance between the prison and significant cantonments like Mogadishu, Niger, and Lungi is less than 45 minutes.

Following the incident, Nigerians have conjectured on social media that disgraced “supercop” Abba Kyari and other convicted politicians would have taken advantage of the situation to avoid jail time.

Here is a list of prominent Nigerians at the Kuje Correctional facility:

Abba Kyari

The disgraced ex-head of the Intelligence Response Team is currently languishing at the Kuje correctional facility over his ongoing narcotics and evidence tampering charges.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency had filled eight-count charges against Kyari and he has been reprimanded at Kuje, alongside some other police officers.

Justice Emeka Nwike had ordered Kyari, ACP Sunday Ubia, Inspector Simon Agirgba, Inspector John Nuhu and Bawa James to be sent to Kuje.

Joshua Dariye

Former Governor of Plateau State would not have risked running out of prison considering that he recently got a state pardon. The National Council of States Dariye granted Dariye and 158 others pardon, although, the ex-governor is yet to be released.

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The former governor was convicted of embezzling N2 billion belonging to Plateau State, while he was governor from 1999 to 2007. He was handed a 14years imprisonment by High Court of the Federal Capital Territory. However, the sentence was commuted by the Supreme Court to 10 years.

Rev Jolly Nyame

Like Dariye, Mr Nyame is a beneficiary of the controversial presidential pardon of President Buhari. The former Governor of Taraba State from 1999 to 2007, was convicted in 2018 by Justice Bukola Banjoko, and the sentence was affirmed by the Supreme Court in 2020.

Abdulrasheed Maina

Once upon a time, Mr Maina was the Chairman of the powerful Pension Reform Task Force under President Goodluck Jonathan. He was appointed in 2010 to cleanse the system.

In 2012, a Senate committee accused him of embezzling N100 billion. He was dismissed from service after going into hiding.

Justice Okon Abang had handed Mr Maina 8 years imprisonment for stealing billions from pensioners.

Mr Maina gained celebrity status after his cat and mouse episode with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission until he was arrested alongside his 20 years old son, Faisal.

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He resurfaced after the emergence of Buhari. It would be recalled that he was clandestinely reinstated into civil service and promoted, but following the outrage, the government fired him.

Farouq Lawan

Lawan is a clear case of grace to grass. The former Kano lawmaker was charged with investigating petroleum subsidy during the Jonathan’s administration. He fell after a sting operation by DSS exposed him of using the committee to milk oil marketers.

Femi Otedola’s $600,000 exposed Lawan, who was one of the leaders of the caucus that removed Patricia Etteh as the Speaker of the House.

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Lawan is currently in Kuje after a court sentenced him to 7 years imprisonment.

Peter Nwachukwu

The husband of popular gospel artist, Osinachi is also at the Kuje Correctional Centre on the ongoing case of homicide.

Last month, the Federal Capital Territory High Court remanded Mr Nwachukwu in prison while the case is ongoing.

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