Bobrisky Did Not Sleep Outside Prison, Completed Jail Term – FG Panel Confirms

By Onoja Baba, Nigeria

A federal investigative panel, established by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has confirmed that popular crossdresser Idris Okuneye, known as Bobrisky, completed his six-month prison sentence without leaving prison facilities.

This announcement follows a wave of allegations suggesting that Bobrisky had received preferential treatment, avoiding the typical prison experience.

Bobrisky was sentenced on April 12, 2024, for abusing the naira and was released from prison in August. The controversy erupted when social critic Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, shared a voice note allegedly from Bobrisky, in which she claimed to have paid ₦15 million to Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) officials to have money laundering charges dropped. 

In the same audio, Bobrisky claimed that her influential “godfather” and staff at the Nigerian Correctional Service allowed her to serve the sentence in a private apartment rather than a correctional facility.

In response to these allegations, the Minister of Interior set up a panel on September 30, chaired by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Magdalena Ajani. The panel was tasked with investigating corruption allegations and irregularities within the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS). On Monday, Uju Agomoh, Executive Director of the Prisoners’ Rehabilitation and Welfare Action, presented the panel’s findings.

“The panel did not find any evidence that suggested Mr. Okuneye slept outside the custodial centre during the period of her imprisonment, which was from April 12, 2024, to August 5, 2024,” Agomoh stated. He added that Bobrisky had been transferred between several custodial centres, including Kuje Custodial Centre in Abuja, Medium Security Custodial Centre in Kirikiri, Lagos, and the Maximum Security Custodial Centre before completing the 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. While in custody, Bobrisky reportedly enjoyed several privileges, including furnished single cells, a humidifier, frequent visits from family and friends, and access to a fridge, television, and possibly a phone.

Agomoh noted, “The panel also found that Mr. Okuneye Idris enjoyed privileges like self-feeding, designated inmates to run errands, and access to a humidifier, fridge, and television. We are investigating whether these privileges were financially motivated.”

The panel expressed concerns about possible corruption within the Nigerian Correctional Service and discriminatory treatment based on an inmate’s socio-economic status. It recommended clear guidelines to prevent preferential treatment and ensure equality in the management of inmates.