Chidinma Ojukwu, the self-confessed killer 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 held to mark the 2022 International Women’s Day.
However, mixed reactions have trailed the emergence of Chidinma Ojukwu as Miss Cell 2022.
Nigerians from all walks of life took to social media to air their grievances on the development.
In view of the public outrage, the authorities at Kirikiri female correctional center have explained why Chidinma was allowed to contest and be crowned Miss Cell 2022.
Authorities of the correctional said that it permitted the 300-level Mass Communication student of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) alongside other inmates to contest in the pageant as one of several activities built to mark the Day.
The Command’s Public Relations Officer (PRO) Rotimi Oladokun in a statement said that the pageant was open to all female inmates, irrespective of whether they are convicted or awaiting trial.
Harping on the pictures of Chidinma Ojukwu winning the pageant that have flooded the Internet, Oladokun 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.”
It would be recalled Chidinma initially confessed to have killed Ataga but later denied the act.
