Chidinma Ojukwu, the principal suspect in the murder of SuperTV CEO Micheal Ataga, has been crowned Miss Cell 2022.
The suspect, whose trial is ongoing, won the beauty pageant held at Kirikiri correctional facility. The event was to mark the 2022 International Women’s Day.
However, Chidinma won as the most beautiful and creative female inmate.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), formerly known as Nigerian Prison Service, has explained why it permitted a 300-level Mass Communication student of the University of Lagos, Chidinma Ojukwu, and other inmates at its facilities to participate in a beauty pageant.
Pictures of the pageant have flooded social media since Wednesday and sent tongues wagging on the propriety or otherwise of allowing non-convicts such as Miss Ojukwu to participate in the event.
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According to the NCoS, Lagos State Command, the pageant was only one of several other activities organised to mark International Women’s Day (IWD).
The Command’s Public Relations Officer (PRO) Rotimi Oladokun told The Nation 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.
IWD is celebrated annually on March 8, to commemorate the social, political and economic achievements of women.