Bobrisky’s Jail Time: Govt Panel Uncovers Lapses

An investigative panel established by Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo has confirmed that popular crossdresser Idris Okuneye, also known as Bobrisky, completed her or his jail sentence inside the prison.

The panel, however, confirmed that he or she enjoyed several privileges that may have been influenced by money.

Recall that Bobrisky was sentenced to six months in prison on April 12 for naira abuse and was released in August.

The controversy surrounding Bobrisky intensified when social critic Martins Otse, known as VeryDarkMan, shared a voice note in which Bobrisky allegedly claimed to have paid N15 million to officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to drop money laundering charges against him. In the audio, Bobrisky also suggested that a “godfather” and members of the Nigerian Correctional Service helped him serve his sentence in a private apartment rather than in prison.

On September 30, Minister Tunji-Ojo initiated an investigation into allegations of corruption and other violations within the Nigerian Correctional Service, appointing Magdalena Ajani, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, to chair the panel.

During the reading of the panel’s phase one report on Monday, Uju Agomoh, a panel member and the Executive Director of Prisoners’ Rehabilitation and Welfare Action, stated that the investigation found no evidence to support claims that Bobrisky slept outside the prison during her or his sentence. “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, a six-month correctional sentence with the usual remission applicable,” he noted.

Agomoh added that Bobrisky was transferred from the Ikoyi Custodial Centre to the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Kirikiri-Apapa, Lagos, and later to the Maximum Security Custodial Centre, where she or he was discharged upon completing her or his sentence. He revealed that Bobrisky enjoyed several privileges while in custody, including furnished single cells, access to a humidifier, frequent visits from family and friends, self-feeding, designated inmates to run errands for her or him, and possibly access to a fridge, television, and a phone.

The panel emphasized that transferring Bobrisky to a maximum security facility as a first-time offender violated Sections 164A and 164B of the Nigerian Correctional Service Act of 2019. Agomoh pointed out, “It is necessary to further investigate if the above privileges provided for Okuneye Idris were financially motivated and based on corrupt practices by correctional officers.”

He also stated that the unique circumstances of inmates like Bobrisky, along with their appearance and behavior, pose challenges, indicating a need for established guidelines for handling such cases. The panel recommended the development of clear protocols to prevent discriminatory practices related to inmates’ socio-economic status and other factors in the future.

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