Charles Okah, who is serving a life sentence for his involvement in the 2010 Independence Day bombing in Abuja and a previous bombing in Warri, Delta State, issued a detailed letter exposing how some convicts have received reduced sentences or been released entirely through the use of forged court warrants, involving collusion with corrupt officials.
EFCC Arrests Convicted Banker Over Forged Warrants
Recently, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arrested a banker who was prematurely released from the Maximum Security Custodial Centre (MaSCC) in Maiduguri, Borno State. The arrest, which occurred on August 19, 2025, is connected to allegations of forged warrants within the state’s justice system.
This arrest appears to validate the concerns raised by Okah in his previous allegations, suggesting ongoing corruption within the custodial and judicial system in Borno State.
Okah’s Allegations and Letter to the Minister of Interior
In March 2025, Okah sent a letter to the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, accusing senior officers of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) of operating a corruption network. He claimed that these officers, in collaboration with corrupt members of the Borno State judiciary, forge and alter conviction warrants, allowing inmates to escape justice.
Okah detailed how multiple departments within the custodial centers, including the Records Office, Intelligence Office, Gate Office, and senior officials, are involved in this illicit scheme. He uncovered the operation while trying to help a juvenile inmate pay a court fine. During this process, an NCoS officer named M.K. Babagana allegedly offered to help release the boy in exchange for half the fine, exposing the widespread scheme.
Broken Trust and Ignored Warnings
Despite attempting to report these issues to the new leadership in January 2025, Okah said his concerns were ignored. He further claimed that authorities staged a “sham” disciplinary process, scapegoating a few inmates and staff members to give the appearance of accountability—while the broader forgery network continued to operate unchecked.
Details of Forged Warrants and Released Convicts
In his letter, Okah described specific cases where individuals, including those convicted of sexual offences against minors, received reduced sentences or were released entirely through forged warrants. He warned that such practices undermine the integrity of the Borno State judicial system and called for comprehensive investigations into the matter.
Recent Developments Confirm Concerns
The EFCC’s recent arrest of the banker, who was prematurely released, appears to validate Okah’s warnings. It highlights ongoing vulnerabilities in Borno State’s custodial and judicial procedures. Authorities have not disclosed if further investigations are underway concerning other NCoS personnel or additional forged warrants.
Excerpts from Okah’s Letter
“Certain officers of the NCoS are aiding and abetting the escape of convicted prisoners from the Maximum Security Custodial Centre, Baga Road in Maiduguri, Borno State.
“Working with unscrupulous staff of the Borno State judiciary, conviction warrants of willing prison inmates are forged and replaced at the Maximum Security Custodial Centre’s Records Office.
“Several prisoners have used this corrupt and illegal route to walk out of the custodial centre without serving the prison sentence handed to them by the Judiciary.
“In both the Maximum Security and the Minimum Security Custodial Centres, located in Maiduguri and under the Borno State Command (BSC) of the NCoS, this crime has been ongoing steadily and undetected for many years.
“The syndicated corruption begins at the office of the Officer in Charge and spreads to other departments—namely, the Court Office, Records Office, Intelligence Office, Gate Office, Chief Warder, and Yard Master—who all get their share from the crime.”
