A panel of inquiry established by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, revealed that popular crossdresser Idris Okuneye, also known as Bobrisky, has completed a six-month prison sentence.
According to Punch Online, Bobrisky was sentenced on April 12 for violating currency regulations and was released from prison in August.
Controversial social critic Martins Otse, known as VeryDarkMan, had earlier circulated an audio clip allegedly from Bobrisky, claiming that she paid N15 million to officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to have money laundering charges dropped.
In the recording, Bobrisky also mentioned that a “godfather” and staff of the Nigerian Correctional Service arranged for her to serve her sentence in a private apartment rather than a prison.
On September 30, the minister set up an investigative panel led by the Ministry of Interior’s Permanent Secretary, Magdalena Ajani, to investigate the corruption allegations and other breaches involving the Nigerian Correctional Service.
Presenting the panel’s preliminary findings on Monday, Uju Agomoh, Executive Director of Prisoners’ Rehabilitation and Welfare Action, stated that the investigation found no proof that Bobrisky had been outside the prison during the sentence.
Agomoh said, “The panel found no evidence that Mr. Okuneye was outside the correctional facility during his incarceration from April 12 to August 5, 2024, a six-month sentence with the standard remission.”
During her sentence, Bobrisky was transferred from Kuje Custodial Centre to the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Kirikiri-Apapa, Lagos, and later to the Maximum Security Custodial Centre, where she completed her sentence.
The panel noted that Bobrisky received certain privileges while in custody, including a furnished private cell, a humidifier, and frequent visits from family and friends.
However, the panel highlighted that transferring Bobrisky to a maximum-security facility as a first-time offender was a violation of Sections 164A and 164B of the Nigerian Correctional Service Act of 2019.
Agomoh further stated, “The panel found that Mr. Okuneye enjoyed several benefits while in custody, including a furnished private cell, frequent visits, personal errands by other inmates, self-feeding, and access to a fridge, television, and possibly a mobile phone.
“There is a need for further investigation to determine if these privileges were the result of corrupt practices by correctional officers.
“The unique circumstances of the inmate, along with their physical appearance and behavior, may have contributed to these privileges being granted. The panel recommends establishing clear guidelines for handling similar cases in the future to prevent disparities based on inmates’ socio-economic status.”
