The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) says the emergence of a murder suspect Chidinma Ojukwu as beauty queen during a pageant at Kirikiri custodial centre in Lagos was not to disrespect the family of her alleged victim.
Ms Ojukwu is standing trial as prime suspect in the death of Super TV chief executive Usifo Ataga in 2021. She won the beauty pageant that was staged in early March to mark the 2022 International Women’s Day.
NCoS spokesman Francis Enobore said in Abuja that the NCoS identified with the Ataga famiy in their moment of grief and would do everything within its power to assist the course of justice in unveiling those behind Ataga’s murder.
“The intendment of the pageant was not to glamourise or make heroes out of criminality, he said.
Enobore added that the pageant in question was one out of a series of events at the ceremony that featured competition in dancing, singing, bead making and costume design among others.
“Aside creating a relaxed atmosphere for inmates, the prizes do not bestow any right or privilege on any of the contestants.
“Moreover, the event was for internal consumption within the custodial environment and never meant to be given wide publicity,’’ Enobore stated.
He recalled that several artistes like Sam Okposo, Onyeka Onwenu, Alabi Pasuma, Denrele, Lamboginny, among others, staged lavish concerts at the Kirikiri and Ikoyi male custodial centres in the past to fete inmates.
