An investigative panel set up by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has confirmed that popular crossdresser Idris Okuneye, better known as Bobrisky, served his full six-month prison sentence.
Bobrisky had been sentenced on April 12, 2024, for abusing the naira, and was released in August 2024 after completing his term.
The investigation was launched following allegations made by social critic Martins Otse, known as VeryDarkMan, who shared an audio recording in which Bobrisky allegedly claimed to have paid N15 million to Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) officials to drop money laundering charges. In the same recording, Bobrisky also mentioned serving his sentence in a private apartment, facilitated by a “godfather” and certain members of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS).
On September 30, Minister Tunji-Ojo constituted the panel, chaired by Permanent Secretary Magdalena Ajani, to probe the alleged corruption and misconduct within the Nigerian Correctional Service.
Reading the findings of the first phase of the report on Monday, Uju Agomoh, a member of the panel and Executive Director of the Prisoners’ Rehabilitation and Welfare Action (PRAWA), stated that no evidence had been found to support claims that Bobrisky served her sentence outside the prison.
“The panel did not find any evidence thus far that suggested that Mr Okuneye slept outside the custodial centre during the period of his imprisonment, which was from 12th April 2024 to 5th August 2024, which is a six-month correctional sentence with the usual remission applicable,” Agomoh explained.
During her time in custody, Bobrisky was reportedly transferred between several correctional facilities, including Kuje Custodial Centre and Kirikiri-Apapa’s Medium Security Custodial Centre, before being moved to the Maximum Security Custodial Centre, where she completed her sentence.
However, the panel noted that Bobrisky’s transfer to a maximum security facility as a first-time offender violated Sections 164A and 164B of the Nigerian Correctional Service Act of 2019.
The report also highlighted the numerous privileges Bobrisky enjoyed during her time in custody, including access to a furnished single cell, a humidifier, frequent family visits, self-feeding, and designated inmates to run errands.
Additionally, Bobrisky allegedly had access to a fridge, television, and possibly her phone.
The panel raised concerns that these privileges may have been financially motivated and based on potential corrupt practices by correctional officers.
“It is necessary to further investigate if the privileges provided for Okuneye Idris were financially motivated and based on corrupt practices by correctional officers,” Agomoh added.
The panel recommended that clear guidelines be established to manage the treatment of high-profile inmates in the future, ensuring that privileges are not granted based on socio-economic status or other factors.
