Chidozie Ajokuji, who endured a decade of wrongful detention at Kirikiri Medium Correctional Centre, has recounted the series of events that led to his arrest, the prolonged legal battle that kept him behind bars, and his eventual release.
Arrested Without Evidence
On the morning of November 7, 2014, Ajokuji was returning home to Egbeda, Lagos, after charging his laptop due to a power outage. As he entered his compound, operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) stopped him, demanding to know what was in his bag. Despite explaining that it was his laptop, the officers accused him of being an armed robber.
“I was known in my area as a gentle and well-behaved boy, but they didn’t listen. They claimed I belonged to a gang that had robbed someone in 2013,” he said. Unknown to him at the time, three others—Abbass Oyeniyi, Peter Oloyede, and Prosper Odijeh—had already been detained in connection with the same case.
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Ajokuji was charged with robbery and conspiracy, accused of being part of a gang that had stolen a barrister’s Lexus SUV the previous year. The police later accused him of being an internet fraudster.
Evidence Emerges, Yet Freedom Eludes
Ajokuji revealed that a significant breakthrough occurred just a day after his arrest. “I prayed to God to vindicate me, and the very next day, SARS operatives brought in Hakeem, the real culprit, after they found the stolen car in his possession,” he explained.
Despite Hakeem’s confession and his denial of knowing Ajokuji or the others, the officers refused to release them. “They called us criminals and even threatened to kill us,” he recalled.
The group’s initial court appearance was delayed due to rain, prolonging their time in SARS detention. By the time their case moved forward, Ajokuji’s hopes for speedy justice faded.
Legal Hurdles And Delayed Justice
Even after Hakeem was identified by the complainant as the actual thief, Ajokuji and the others were not exonerated. The case dragged on for years. “The investigating officer was transferred to Abuja, and our first lawyer stepped down after taking a chieftaincy title,” he said.
Help eventually came through a non-governmental organization, Ray of Hope Prison Outreach, which provided legal assistance. Despite this, Ajokuji found himself opting for a plea bargain out of frustration and fear.
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“I was tired of going to court endlessly. I saw others taking plea bargains and regaining freedom, so I pressured my family to agree,” he said. On November 20, 2024, exactly 10 years after his arrest, he was freed alongside Prosper Odijeh, while Abbass Oyeniyi remains in custody awaiting his plea bargain application.
Life Behind Bars
Ajokuji described prison life as harsh, with inadequate food and overcrowding. “The rations were terrible—one cup of beans in the morning and garri twice a day. Even a dog wouldn’t eat that food,” he lamented.
Despite the challenges, he found solace in church and sports. “Dancing during church services gave me a sense of freedom. I also joined a basketball team, which helped me cope,” he said.
He credited the Ray of Hope Prison Outreach with securing the release of other inmates, including minors. “I introduced the NGO to several people, and they helped get some of them released,” he added.
A New Chapter
Now reunited with his family, Ajokuji is determined to rebuild his life. Reflecting on his experience, he said, “Prison taught me patience, endurance, and contentment. I am grateful to be free and will focus on starting a new life.”
