An investigative panel announced on Monday, October 21, that there is no evidence to support claims that popular crossdresser Idris Okuneye, also known as Bobrisky, spent time outside prison during his six-month jail term.
Uju Agomoh, Executive Director and founder of Prisoners’ Rehabilitation and Welfare Action, made this statement while presenting the phase one report of the panel at the Ministry of Interior. Bobrisky was sentenced to six months on April 12 for naira mutilation and was released on August 5.
The controversy began when activist VeryDarkMan accused Bobrisky of actually spending his sentence in a lodge rather than Kirikiri prison, allegedly due to the influence of a powerful figure. VeryDarkMan also claimed to have audio evidence suggesting that Bobrisky bribed officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) with N15 million to have money laundering charges dropped.
In response to these allegations, Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo ordered a thorough investigation. On September 30, he established a panel chaired by Magdalena Ajani, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, to investigate “Alleged Corruption & Other Violations Against the Nigerian Correctional Service.”
Agomoh clarified, “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 April 12, 2024, to August 5, 2024, which is a six-month correctional sentence with the usual remission applicable.”
