Gov. Panel Clears Bobrisky of Bribery Allegations, Highlights Prison Privileges

A government investigative panel established by Nigeria’s Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has officially cleared popular crossdresser, Idris Okuneye, also known as Bobrisky, of allegations that he bribed his way out of standard prison procedures during his recent imprisonment.

Bobrisky was sentenced to six months in prison in April 2024 for abusing the naira and was released in August.

The panel, chaired by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Magdalena Ajani, was tasked with investigating claims of corruption within the Nigerian Correctional Service following accusations made by social media critic Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan. Otse had released a viral audio recording suggesting Bobrisky paid 15 million naira to some officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to avoid facing money laundering charges.

In the audio, Bobrisky allegedly claimed that a “godfather” and staff members of the Nigerian Correctional Service ensured he served his sentence in a private apartment rather than in prison. These allegations prompted the Minister of Interior to form a panel to probe the situation.

According to Uju Agomoh, Executive Director of Prisoners’ Rehabilitation and Welfare Action (PRAWA) and a member of the panel, no evidence was found to support the claim that Bobrisky spent any time outside the custodial centers during his imprisonment. The panel confirmed that Bobrisky served his entire sentence in prison from April 12 to August 5, 2024, being transferred between the Kuje Custodial Centre and the Maximum Security Custodial Centre in Lagos.

However, the panel did note that Bobrisky enjoyed several privileges while in custody. These included access to a furnished single cell, a humidifier, frequent visits from friends and family, and self-feeding. He also reportedly had inmates assigned to assist him with errands, and there is speculation he may have had access to a refrigerator, television, and possibly his phone.

The report emphasized that Bobrisky’s transfer to a maximum security facility as a first-time offender was a violation of Section 164A and 164B of the Nigerian Correctional Service Act of 2019. The panel recommended further investigation into whether Bobrisky’s special treatment was influenced by corruption within the correctional facilities.

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The panel’s report also highlighted the need for clearer guidelines in handling high-profile or unique cases like Bobrisky’s, calling for greater fairness and transparency in the prison system.

Bobrisky’s case has continued to make headlines as Nigerians react to both the allegations of bribery and the revelations of special treatment within the custodial centers. While the panel’s findings exonerate Bobrisky of the bribery claims, the ongoing investigation into the privileges he enjoyed behind bars may yield further developments.

As the situation continues to unfold, we will bring you updates. For now, the focus remains on the Nigerian Correctional Service and the reforms needed to ensure transparency and accountability within the system.