Outrage greets crowning of alleged murderer Chidinma Ojukwu as prison beauty queen

Outrage has greeted reports that Chidinma Ojukwu, the alleged killer of the Super TV CEO, Michael Ataga, has been crowned as ‘Miss Cell 2022’, a beauty pageant which was held in the infamous Kirikiri Correctional Facility in Lagos.

The 300-level student of University of Lagos (UNILAG) is currently detained in the facility and undergoing trial for allegedly stabbing Ataga to death in a flat at Lekki Phase 1, Lagos.

Here are some of the reactions, on Twitter, by aghast Nigerians in connection with the pageant organised to mark the 2022 International Women’s Day observed globally on March 8:

“I am not surprised by the beauty pageant in prison, it’s international standard to give the prisoners hope.

“What I am surprised at is, what are so many young & beautiful girls doing in Kirikiri? A maximum prison! Many Chidinma in Nigeria?” — @AyanbisiAT

“She is not supposed to be part of this contest until the trial and sentencing is over. How would the family of the man feel? #Justicedelayed.” — @vickielokorie

“Personally, this is a good initiative I must say. Atleast with this, it will give them purpose. There should be a kinda of competition with other correction facility centres round the globe. This will actually open the door of redemption to them for another fresh start.” — @Austeiin

“Life in the prison is so sweet, like we’ve prisoney selling what they sell in the normal world, prisoners use beautiful human hair and wear nice clothes too, it’s only people who haven’t been to Nigeria prison that says all sort of nonsense.” — @OluwatayoRhoda

“Her case is still on trial. It’s very wrong to post this out here but nothing bad in doing this for prisoners.” — @Updateboyx

“If them treat prisoner as a lesser human.. Ona go compare to the abroad… When them treat prisoner with small compassion, ona go say this country no serious. Hehe. Well, I’ve learnt that people will always talk no matter what.” — @NeoDiDi44

“After this, we will not be surprised if one baba somewhere will make a deal for her to be released on grounds that she agrees to marry him or be his mistress!!!! Well, let me go chop my food and read!! Nigeria, I rest my case!” — @SonofCrucifix

“Are you saying all these beautiful women are in jail for something? Wow” — @Somadina__

“I get giving prisoners hope but maybe murderers shouldn’t participate in these hopeful activities you know. Imagine getting free food, free accommodation and still winning pageantry, be like big brother House.” — @MadQueenLady