An
ex-convict, simply identified as Femi, has revealed why he had to spend 10
years in Kirikiri Prison, Lagos State.
Femi, who
was incarcerated for robbery, urged Nigerians to do everything to avoid crime.
The
ex-convict, who spent 10 years in prison, was discharged and acquitted, over
lack of evidence. He disclosed that bad friends on Lagos Island destroyed his
dream of becoming a banker and led him into crime.
Femi spoke
recently at an event organised by the Prison and Hospital Ministry of the Redeemed
Christian Church of God (RCCG), Ogun Province 4 Headquarters, Redemption Camp,
Ogun State.
Femi
testified along with two others at the event, tagged, “Reigning in Everlasting
Dominion.”
He said
that he spent 10 years in prison for the crime he didn’t benefit anything. He
said that the crime involved stealing of jewelry.
Femi (33),
who is unmarried, said his ordeal started in June 2008 when he and some friends
were arrested at Lafiaji area of Island for allegedly stealing Jewelry in the
neighbourhood. Femi and his friends were later discovered to have sold the
items.
He said:
“It happened in 2008, at Lafiaji area. We were three in number that went to rob
Mr. Ajibola of his jewelry. It was a friend of mine that brought the
information about the jewelry to us.
“We
succeeded in the operation, but we didn’t get enough money in the house where
we went to rob the victims. We then decided to collect jewelry. We didn’t know
that some of the jewelry was customized. The following day, we took the jewelry
to a pawn shop.
“We didn’t
know that the owner had alerted the buyer and police. Before we knew what was
happening, three of us were arrested and taken us to Lion Building Police Station.
Police tortured me in order to get me to confess our activities. They wanted
more information, but I had nothing more to give. While further interrogating me,
one of them shot me on the leg. I fainted immediately. I was rushed to the
hospital where I was later revived.”
He continued:
“After I was revived, we were transferred to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad
(SARS) office at Ikeja, where we spent a month, before taken to court. It was
from the court that we were taken to Kirikiri Medium Prison. There is a school
in prison for new inmates. In that school, inmates are taught how to relate
with others.
“A week
after I got into the prison, the Redeemed Christian Church of God Prison and
Hospital Ministry came to the prison. We had a bible class. The teacher, who
used to take us on bible classes, noticed that whenever he was teaching us, my
mind used to wander away. The teacher came to me one fateful day and asked me
what my problem was. After I explained to him all I had gone through, he sent for
the principal of the school; this happened four years after I had been in
prison.
“I later
registered for General Certificate of Education (GCE). I and 14 other inmates
also registered for National Examinations Council (NECO).”
Femi said
that when the result eventually came out, he had six credits and by 2014, he
got admission to study Business Management at National Open University. He explained
that throughout his stay in the prison, none of his family members came to
check on him.
According
to him, his acquittal and subsequent release from prison was nothing short of
miracle.
His words:
“During my stay in prison, my family members didn’t come to check on me. It was
a lawyer from RCCG that came to my rescue. He was the person that got me
released from prison.
“Pastor
Sam Coker, who also doubles as the lawyer, took up the case and in 2018, by
God’s grace, I was discharged and acquitted. I spent 10 years and three months
in the prison. I got into the prison at the age of 23. After I came out, my
family members still did not bother about me.
“I believe
they didn’t visit me because of my conversion to from Islam to Christianity. I used
to speak with my mother on phone.”
After his
release from prison, Femi said that a RCCG, whom he met in prison, who used to
preach to him, registered him in a shoe cobbling. The man also assisted him in
getting an apartment and placed him on a monthly salary.
Femi said:
“I felt ashamed, finding myself in the prison. It was nothing, but sheer greed
that took me to prison. As a Christian, I believe God has a way of doing
things. If I was not involved in the robbery and remanded in prison, I
might not have further my education and also known Christ. God is still in
control of everything.”
When ask
to describe his stay and life in the prison, Femi described the Nigeria Prison
as a dustbin.
He said
reflectively: “Whoever finds himself or herself in prison becomes alone. No
family would come to visit you. You will have no right to good food. What they
serve us is nothing to write home about. Your right is also taken away and your
movement will be restricted.
“It was
pathetic in prison; people die every day! No treatment is given when someone falls
sick. It was some churches and nongovernmental organisations used to assist
inmates. In 2008, when I first got there, there was nothing like borehole
water. We drank from open well. I will forever remain grateful to the General
Overseer of RCCG, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, for the food he always sends to use
every Sunday.”
The
National Chairman of the Prison and Hospital Ministry, Pastor Ariyo Popoola, while
speaking at a conference, which was held at Redemption Camp, Ogun State, on the
theme, ‘Reigning in Everlasting Dominion,’ said that the ministry was still funded
95 percent by individual members.
Popoola
said: “Our theme for this year’s conference is both prophetic and filled with
expectation for the ministry and the people we minister to; both in
prisons, police station, remand homes, hospitals and old people’s homes. We
believe that the Lord will intervene in their cases and that they’ll receive
Christ.”
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