Burna Boy, VeryDarkMan visit Kirikiri to secure release of inmates jailed for unpaid fines

28 Dec 2025, 15:53 by Deborah Bodunde · TheCable Lifestyle

Afrofusion singer Burna Boy and social media activist VeryDarkMan have visited the Lagos State Command of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) over the release of inmates eligible for discharge.

In a statement by Osho Onimisi Joseph, spokesperson of the Lagos command, the duo visited the Kirikiri Maximum Security Custodial Centre to obtain information on the legal and administrative procedures guiding the release of inmates whose sentences include fines.

Sanni Richard, officer-in-charge of the facility, received the delegation and explained the processes governing fine payments, eligibility criteria, and the legal safeguards put in place to ensure transparency and strict compliance with court orders.

The statement stressed that the payment of fines for eligible inmates is guided strictly by court judgments and correctional regulations, noting that no inmate is released without due process and proper authorisation.

The NCoS also assured the public that inmates are held in safe, secure, and humane conditions in line with the Nigerian Correctional Service Act and international best practices.

It further commended lawful initiatives aimed at promoting access to justice, custodial decongestion, and the humane treatment of inmates.

The visit followed a recent Instagram post by VeryDarkMan, in which he appeared alongside Burna Boy.

In the video, the activist revealed that the singer donated $100,000, equivalent to about N150 million, to support the release of inmates unable to pay their fines and to clear hospital bills for patients in public health facilities.

VeryDarkMan said $50,000 would be used to secure the freedom of prisoners who have remained in custody for years due to unpaid fines.

He added that the remaining $50,000 would go towards settling hospital bills for patients in government-owned hospitals.

“The money is in my custody while we do proper documentation for their release,” he said.

“I intend to collect all fined prisoners data of all 36 states so the fine money can go round, likewise hospital payments.”

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