By Bode Olagoke
The Controller-General of Prisons, Ibrahim Zakari has handed over to Deputy Controller-General of Prisons, Aminu Sule as he proceeded on retirement after attaining the mandatory 35 years in service.
He handed over to Sule at a brief ceremony on Thursday at the Prison Service headquarters along Airport Road, Abuja.
Zakari, until his appointment as CGP by President Goodluck Jonathan in January 2012, was the Deputy Controller-General of Prisons in charge of the Directorate of Administration and supplies at the Prisons headquarters, Abuja.
The retired CGP, who was born on January 1, 1955 at Kuru in Toto Local Government Council Area of Nasarawa State, joined the prison service in 1989 as a Chief Superintendent of Prisons when he transferred his service from the Plateau Civil Service where he was a teacher.
Zakari, who holds a National certificate of Education (1978) from Advanced Teachers College, Zaria, had had a tour of duty in several stations as second in command in Jos Prisons, 1989-91, officer-in-charge of Oturkpo Prisons, 1992 – 1994,and Kafanchan Prisons, 1995 – 1996.
Between 1995 and 1997, he was deputy to the State Controllers in Plateau and Nasarawa States.
The Prison Service Public Relations Officer, Ope Fatinikun, confirmed Zakari’s retirement from the service, adding that he had handed over to DCG Aminu Sule who would hold fort until a substantive replacement is appointed by the Federal Government.
He said, “It is true, the CGP, Zakari Ibrahim has retired from the service and handed over to DCG Alhaji Aminu Sule who was in DCG in charge of works and logistics,”
Meanwhile, the race to succeed Zakari is expected to be a four-horse race between the acting CG, Aminu Sule and three other DCGs namely Dagaci Abubakar,(in charge of Finance and Budget), Dr.Peter Ekpendu (Administration and Supply) and Segun Bewaji, (Operations.)
Others who may be considered for the post based on the President Jonathan’s inclination, include Dr. Ekpedeme Udom (ACG), Covering Duty, in charge of Health and Social Welfare Directorate and ACG Umaru Saraki (Inmates’ Training and Productivity).
The President is expected to announce the substantive CGP after he might have been advised by the Civil Defence, Fire, Immigration and Prison Services Board.
