Chidinma is crowned Miss Cell after winning a beauty pageant in prison. Nigerians wonder how a murder suspect could be given such elevation.
By Ishaya Ibrahim, News Editor
Chidinma Ojukwu, the alleged killer of Usifo Ataga, the Super TV Chief Executive Officer, has won a Beauty Pageant at the Kirikiri Correctional Facility. She is now the Miss Cell, to the chagrin of many Nigerians who wondered how a murder suspect was given such a spotlight.
While still at the police cell, Chidinma Ojukwu had shortly after admitting to killing Usifo Ataga, later made a U-turn in an exclusive interview with the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA).
In the interview with the NTA, she looked relaxed, well-dressed in fresh clothes and a new hairdo. That caused some uproar.
Now, at the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), formerly known as Nigerian Prison Service, she has been given another privileged exposure as a contestant for the Miss Cell Beauty Pageant, which she won.
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On Twitter, Nigerians have expressed shock that a murder suspect could get such exposure which could convey the impression that murder is not a taboo.
@90sSophie queried: “How person go commit m*rder and go still dey win “miss cell 2022 beauty pageant” for kirikiri prison? Chidinma Ojukwu is amazing.”
@smartser_1 said: “Chidinma Ojukwu is a killer in a killer dress…. Person wey commit murder they win most beautiful for prison. Life no balance.”
@Junebabe_ said: “Miss cell 2022? LOL! This is the funniest thing I’ve read so far. I don’t even understand this Chidinma Ojukwu’s gist. Should we call it grace or what?”
@teewave2000 said: “This Chidinma Ojukwu standing trial for killing super TV CEO is actually destined to be great. She only acted faster than God’s appointed time. Even though destiny did not change, the dimensions did change. I wish she was patient enough.”
But the Nigeria Correctional Service, Lagos State Command said the pageant was only one of several other activities organised to mark International Women’s Day (IWD).
IWD is celebrated annually on March 8, to commemorate the social, political and economic achievements of women.
The Nation Newspaper quoted the Command’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Rotimi Oladokun, saying that the pageant and all the other events were open to all female inmates whether convicted or awaiting trial.
Oladookun, a Superintendent, said: “I haven’t seen the pictures you are talking about. But in line with International Women’s Day, the female custodial facilities commemorated International Women’s Day with inmates, various inmates without distinction or discrimination against anybody – an inmate is an inmate.
“All the inmates in different cell blocks presented various programmes. Some did theatre presentations, others drama, some poetry, some beauty pageant, some drawings, paintings, comedy. So, various blocks won. It was just like an inter-cell block event.
“There were lots of presentations. It was not an individual thing. It was just the facility’s way of trying to reform the inmates, those still in custody.
“So, that’s why they commemorated International Women’s Day, that’s why it was done in the female facility, not the males.”
The PRO also talked about Chidinma’s costume during the pageant: “The costumes were made by the inmates in the facility and some of the winners got sponsorship to pay for their UME forms, NECO, WASSCE and higher education.
“Some donated libraries to us, apart from some other stationery, and welfare resources. It was not an individual event, so the prizes were collective.”
