Bobrisky's Prison Scandal: FG Panel Finds Evidence of Favoritism

FG Panel Uncovers Bobrisky's Luxe Jail Life

“Steps should be taken to avoid the obvious discriminatory practices in relation to the socio-economic..."

Bobrisky Prison Scandal: Investigation Clears Crossdresser of External Stays, But Reveals Irregular Transfer to Maximum Security Facility.

An investigative panel has found no evidence to support claims that popular crossdresser Bobrisky, whose real name is Idris Okuneye, spent nights outside prison during his six-month sentence. Bobrisky was sentenced on April 12 for abusing the naira and was released on August 5.

The investigation was initiated by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, following a video shared by activist Martins Vincent Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan. In the video, Bobrisky allegedly claimed to have bribed Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) officials to drop money laundering charges against him.

The Executive Director of the Prisoners' Rehabilitation and Welfare Action (PRAWA), Uju Agomoh, revealed the panel's findings while presenting the first phase of the report at the Ministry. This conclusion puts to rest speculation surrounding Bobrisky's imprisonment.

Findings:

No Evidence of External Overnight Stays: The investigative panel found no proof that Bobrisky spent nights outside the prison facility during his sentence.

Investigation Prompted by Video_: The Minister of Interior initiated the investigation after a video surfaced where Bobrisky allegedly claimed to have bribed EFCC officials.

Sentence and Release: Bobrisky was sentenced to six months in prison on April 12 and released on August 5.

Uju Agomoh, Executive Director of Prisoners' Rehabilitation and Welfare Action (PRAWA), presented the phase one report at the Ministry of Interior on October 21. The investigation found no evidence that Bobrisky left the custodial center during imprisonment from April 12 to August 5, 2024.

However, the report highlighted an irregularity - Bobrisky's transfer to a maximum security facility as a first-time offender, violating Sections 164A and 164B of the Nigerian Correctional Service Act of 2019. The crossdresser was moved from Kuje Custodial Centre to Kirikiri-Apapa and then to the Maximum Security Custodial Centre before discharge.

“The panel also found that Mr. Okuneye Idris enjoyed several privileges while in custody, both at the Medium Security and the Maximum Security Custodial Centres, which include, especially the following: furnished single cells, humidifier, lots of visits by his family members and friends as he desired, self-feeding, designated inmates to run errands for him, access to fridge and television, and possibly access to his phone,” the statement reads.

“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.

“The panel believes that the peculiar case of the inmates and the inmates' physical look and behaviour pose a threat, and the lack of laid-down rules for the treatment of such a case may have necessitated such privileges to be granted to Okunenye Idris.

“The panel recommends that clear guidelines need to be set up to guide operations regarding such incidents in future.

“Steps should be taken to avoid the obvious discriminatory practices in relation to the socio-economic level other status of inmates.”