Lagos State Command of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) says the beauty pageant in which female inmates partook recently was only one of several activities organised to mark International Women’s Day on March 8.
Chidinma Ojukwu, who is currently on trial for the alleged murder of Super TV chief executive Usifo Ataga, won the beauty contest and was crowned Miss Cell 2022.
Pictures of the pageant have flooded social media.
The Command’s spokesman Rotimi Oladokun told The Nation that the pageant and all the other events were open to all female inmates whether convicted or awaiting trial.
“I haven’t seen the pictures you are talking about. But in line with International Women’s Day, the female custodial facilities commemorated International Women’s Day with inmates, various inmates without distinction or discrimination against anybody – an inmate is an inmate,” he told the newspaper.
Oladokun noted that inmates in various cell blocks made different presentations such as drama, poetry, beauty pageant, drawings, paintings and comedy. According to him, there were different winners for different categories.
“It was just the facility’s way of trying to reform the inmates, those still in custody,” he said.
Oladokun added that the costumes were made by the inmates in the facility and some of the winners got sponsorship for education.
