Even as jailed former Deputy National Chairman (South) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, fights on to secure a bail, he seems to be having a swell time in prison. The retired naval officer is so popular among the inmates of Kirikiri Maximum Prison, Apapa, Lagos that he is being treated as a king. He moves in a “convoy” of inmates and hailed whenever he appears.

Saturday Sun observed, last Saturday, when members of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Jesus House, Ajao Estate, Lagos, visited Kirikiri prison, that if an election were to be conducted in Kirikiri Prison George will easily win. It was observed that whenever the PDP chieftain leaves his room for another section of the prison yard, not less than 30 inmates accompany him. Also, whenever he appears, other inmates run towards his direction to pay homage. They greet him, in the area boy fashion, hailing and bowing severally before him.

A reliable source in the prison confirmed that this has been the case ever since George was brought to prison. He revealed that other inmates defer to him, perhaps, to get one favour or another.
Recently, when our reporter visited, George looked smart and agile, as he walked through the path hosting St. Stephen Catholic Church and the special study centre of the National Open University of Nigeria in the prison yard. He wore a brown calico dress, which flowed down to his ankle. His hair had been shaved, making him look younger

After George had disappeared into his cell, behind the Liberty Chapel, Saturday Sun observed a commotion in that part of the compound, which almost degenerated into a fight among some of the inmates who had escorted him to his block. It took a combined effort of the prison officers before order was restored. It was gathered that the problem was the sharing formula of a largess George had doled out to them.

Saturday Sun noticed the security consciousness of the Kirikiri Maximum Prison right from the onset of the RCCG visit to the compound. On arrival, the church members were asked to park their vehicles at the new car lot, after the Prison Training College. Prison officials also warned against coming in with cameras and mobile phones. And every member of the church was advised to put on the church’s tag, for easy identification.

Since it was a male prison, women were asked to go in first, while the men, having waited for sometime, were given gate pass bearing the inscription of Deputy Comptroller of Prison, Kirikiri. Every member was thoroughly searched, with a warning that they must hold on to their tags because failure to produce it at the gate when going out would be a problem.

According to the officers, such victims would be classified as prisoners attempting to escape, as it is the only document that can differentiate them from the real prisoners.
The prison yard was a community of its own. It played host to St. Stephen’s Catholic Church, Liberty Chapel in front of Bode George cell, Assembly Hall, National Open University of Nigeria special study centre, a building known as solitary block, lawn tennis court, a football field, where the RCCG’s welfare week ceremony was held and others.

At exactly 12 noon, the inmates were already seated under the canopy designated for them. There was nothing to show that they were prisoners. As the Matomi’s Praise Band dished out their melodious songs, the inmates stood to dance to the tunes.

Pastor Bisi Olowoyo, RCCG, Jesus House Parish Pastor, thanked the prisoners for coming out to hear the words of God. He explained that despite the fact that they were not born again, the occasion was an opportunity for them to get their second chance to live. He advised them to turn a new leaf by attending churches in the yard, as a way of establishing their relationship with God.

The event witnessed a lot of drama presentation by various troupes in the Redeemed family, which dwelt on morality and the need to turn from wicked ways. The Alfa Sule Drama Troupe, which presented the Okonla dance drama, stole the heart of the prisoners, with its performance. This was followed by music ministration by the choir from some of the branches of the church.

At the end of the programme, over 50 inmates gave their lives to Jesus Christ, while 25 others, who complained of various kinds of ailments, were prayed for and blessed by Pastor Oluwole Sarumi, the RCCG provincial pastor of the area.

When the news later filtered into the arena that the Super Eagles of Nigeria had qualified for the World Cup, having defeating the Kenyan team 3-2, the prison inmates went wild with jubilation, as if the Federal Government had just made a pronouncement on their freedom.

The Lagos State Comptroller of Prison, CP Boko Njoko, was represented at the event by the Deputy Comptroller of Prison, DCP Rachael Aguroko.

The Sun Newspaper
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