A condemned killer’s secret social media hustle has cost three senior prison bosses their jobs. The Nigerian Correctional Service has yanked the Officer-in-Charge of the Ibara Medium Custodial Centre in Abeokuta, Ogun State, along with two other top officers, after discovering that a death row inmate was broadcasting live on TikTok from behind bars.
The inmate, Elijah Oyebode, isn’t just any prisoner. In 2019, an Osun State High Court sentenced him to death by hanging for the murder of Rofiat Adebisi, a final-year student at Osun State University. Court records show Oyebode flip-flopped on his story during the trial, first offering conflicting accounts and later denying any involvement. But medical evidence and other exhibits were enough to convict him.
Yet, despite the grim reality of death row, Oyebode allegedly found a way to keep his digital life alive. Reports suggest he ran an active TikTok presence, with one account reportedly hitting Level 20 gifting status—a milestone that allowed him to rake in monetary gifts during livestreams. He’s also been linked to a second account that impersonated a well-known content creator and activist.
The scandal broke into the open on Thursday when the NCoS’s Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent of Corrections JN Osuji, issued a statement calling the incident a “serious violation of custodial regulations” and a breach of prison security protocols. Early probes revealed that Oyebode had unlawfully gotten his hands on a prohibited mobile phone, which he used to access social media while in custody. The device has since been recovered and secured as evidence for further investigation.
The correctional service has already moved Oyebode to another facility, where he’s now under enhanced security measures while the probe continues. Meanwhile, the Officer-in-Charge of the Ibara centre and two other principal officers have been removed from their posts, pending the outcome of the investigation.
This isn’t just a disciplinary matter—it’s a glaring spotlight on how easily prison security can be bypassed in Nigeria. For a man awaiting execution, the ability to livestream to the outside world raises serious questions about oversight, corruption, and the integrity of the correctional system. The NCoS insists it’s taking the matter seriously, but for now, the public is left wondering how many more inmates might be running their own social media empires from their cells.
