An anonymous whistleblower has written to the Nigerian Correctional Service claiming that Deputy Controller of Corrections (DCC) Innocent Amaechi, the officer-in-charge of the Awka Custodial Centre, Anambra State, has been extorting money from inmates and bribing investigators the NCoS assigns to probe the facility.
In an email dated April 16, sent via [email protected], this whistleblower claimed that Amaechi extorts between N200,000 and N5 million from inmates.
On April 29, the NCoS wrote to FIJ, confirming the existence of this anonymous email and acknowledging receipt.
Earlier, the whistleblower had sent the same email to FIJ, detailing verbatim the contents of their email to the NCoS.
“I am writing to formally report serious acts of corruption, extortion, and abuse of office being perpetrated by DCC Innocent Amaechi, the Officer-in-Charge of Awka Custodial Centre, Anambra State,” the email reads in part.
FIJ has now reproduced the contents of this email as detailed by the whistleblower.
1. Extortion for Provost Positions
In January 2026, DCC Innocent Amaechi dissolved all provosts (cell leaders) across the twelve cells and demanded that inmates reapply and pay a minimum of N200,000 each to regain their positions. As of 4th February 2026, at least 12 inmates had paid amounts ranging from N200,000 to N5,000,000 in cash directly to the officer-in charge. Notable payments include: (redacted name of inmate): N5,000,000 (B2 Provost) plus N3,000,000 for permission to...
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