The Deputy Comptroller of Prisons (DCP), Richard Egbede, has confirmed the death of a 50-year-old inmate, identified as David, at the Okere Custodial Centre in Warri, Delta State.
David, who was arrested in Ughelli South Local Government Area for allegedly raping his 10-year-old daughter and infecting her with HIV, reportedly died from complications related to the virus after persistently refusing to take his prescribed medication.
Speaking in a telephone interview on Sunday, September 21, 2025, Egbede explained that prison authorities and medical staff had made continuous efforts to ensure the inmate received treatment, but he consistently neglected his antiretroviral drugs.
“We’ve been giving him the drugs all the time, but he would just keep them without taking them,” Egbede said.
He disclosed that about a month earlier, David’s condition worsened, leading to his transfer to the Central Hospital, Warri, where he was treated and later discharged. Despite counselling, however, the inmate allegedly continued to ignore his medication.
According to Egbede, David developed a fever two weeks ago and was placed on a drip within the facility. Though his cellmates supported him, his health declined further around 2:00 a.m., and he was rushed back to the hospital that morning.
“Doctors placed him on oxygen, but sadly, before the test results could be released, he passed away,” Egbede stated.
He dismissed social media claims of neglect, insisting the custodial centre provided adequate medical attention until the very end.
“To the best of my knowledge, if he were alive today, he would testify that we took care of him,” he maintained.
