By Peter Onyekachukwu 
By Peter Onyekachukwu
An inmate of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Okere Custodial Centre in Warri, identified simply as David, has died following complications linked to HIV.
Deputy Comptroller of Prisons, Richard Egbede, confirmed the development in a telephone interview on Sunday, stating that the deceased consistently refused to take his prescribed antiretroviral medication despite repeated interventions.
“We’ve been giving him the drugs all the time, but he would just keep them without taking them,” Egbede explained.
He disclosed that the inmate was admitted to Central Hospital, Warri, about a month ago when his health deteriorated. After two days of treatment, he was discharged back into custody with renewed advice to adhere strictly to his medication, but he reportedly ignored the counsel.
According to Egbede, David later developed a fever that worsened overnight despite receiving medical attention at the facility.
“I was with him until about 8 p.m. when we placed him on a drip. His cellmates were very supportive, but around 2 a.m. his health deteriorated further. In the morning, our medical staff rushed him back to Central Hospital where he was placed on oxygen. Unfortunately, before the test results could come out, he passed away,” he said.
The Deputy Comptroller dismissed reports on social media suggesting neglect by prison officials, insisting that the custodial centre provided consistent medical support throughout the inmate’s illness.
“To the best of my knowledge, if he were alive today, he would testify that we took care of him,” Egbede added.
The Nigerian Correctional Service is yet to issue an official statement beyond the confirmation provided by Egbede.