Michael Anugwa, one of the two suspended officials of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), has told the House of Representatives that his suspension was just “a social media suspension”.

Anugwa made this statement on Monday while answering questions regarding his involvement in the case of Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, who served only three weeks out of his six-month conviction inside Kirikiri Medium Prison before he was moved to a private residence outside the prison walls.

During a live-streamed interview on YouTube, Anugwa appeared before the panel and was asked whether he was officially under suspension. He responded by stating that he had not received any formal letter to that effect.

READ MORE: EXCLUSIVE: Out of 6 Months, Bobrisky Spent Only 3 Weeks In Kirikiri Prison

House rep: “Were you under suspension?”

Controller of prisons: “it was a social media suspension”

This VDM and Bobrisky matter go scatter Nigeria 😂😂😭 pic.twitter.com/JPe4QrWAvi

— Bayo Otedola (@mister_ade5) September 30, 2024

After being repeatedly questioned, he eventually admitted that while the NCoS had announced his suspension, along with that of some colleagues, but he added that the announcement was made solely via social media.

One of the House representatives asked, “I want to ask you something, sir. Are you under suspension?”

Anugwa replied, “No letter was given to me to that effect.”

The representative pressed further, “Are you under suspension?”

Anugwa answered, “Yes, there was a press release by the National Director-General [pic] stating that my colleagues and I have been suspended.”

“Were you given any reasons for your suspension?” the representative continued.

“No reason was given,” Anugwa replied.

“So, they just issued a letter and told you to go?” the representative probed.

“They did not serve me a letter, sir,” Anugwa responded. “It is a social media suspension.”

On Thursday, the NCoS announced the suspension of Anugwa, Deputy Controller of Corrections (DCC), In-Charge of Medium Security Custodial Centre (MSCC), Kirikiri, Lagos State, and Sikiru Adekunle, Deputy Controller of Corrections (DCC), In-Charge of Maximum Security Custodial Centre (MSCC), Kirikiri, Lagos State.

Before then, Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo had “directed an unconditional and comprehensive investigation into the allegations of bribery and corruption within the Nigerian Correctional Service”. He also subsequently told the press that everyone involved in the matter would be identified and punished.

READ ALSO: UPDATED: FG Suspends 2 Prison Officials Over ‘N15m Bobrisky Bribe’

Martins Vincent Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan, had earlier released an audio recording in which Okuneye claimed he received preferential treatment in prison.

FIJ then exclusively reported that although Okuneye was sentenced to six months in detention, he spent only three weeks in prison.

FIJ’s sources revealed that during his brief stay in prison, Bobrisky was given preferential treatment and guarded like a king before being secretly moved to another location.