TheCable

President Goodluck Jonathan has approved the appointment of Ezenwa Ekpendu as the new controller-general of prisons.

Until his appointment, Aminu A Suley, who acted as CGP, had high hopes of occupying the position.

It is not clear why Suley, whose tenure has been characterised by jailbreaks in different parts of the country, was not confirmed substantive CGP.

Ope Fatinikun, the public relations officer of Nigerian Prisons Service (NPS), announced the appointment of Ekpendu, who hails from Imo state.

Ekpendu has had an active career in NPS. Between 1991 and 1994, he was the deputy commandant, prisons training, college, Lagos. From 1995 to 1996, he worked at Umuahia prisons and left for Owerri prisons, where he spent two years.

He also worked in different parts of the country until 2012 when he was appointed a deputy controller-general, administration of the prison service.

He holds a masters degree and a doctoral degree from the University of Nsukka.