A Federal Government panel investigating allegations of bribery surrounding Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, has disclosed that the social media personality served his six-month jail term but with special privileges.
The crossdresser, who was imprisoned for a money laundering-related offence, had access to several amenities during his time behind bars.
The panel, headed by Uju Agomoh, presented its findings on Monday at the Ministry of Interior, revealing that Bobrisky was incarcerated from April 12, 2024, to August 5, 2024.
However, he was reportedly treated to a more comfortable stay in prison than other inmates.
Agomoh stated, “We did not find any evidence that suggested Mr. Okuneye slept outside the custodial centre during the period of his imprisonment.
His six-month correctional sentence, with the usual remission applicable, was served within Nigeria’s prison system.”
Initially detained at the Kuje Custodial Centre in Abuja, Bobrisky was later transferred to the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Kirikiri, Lagos, and subsequently to the Maximum Security Custodial Centre, from which he was released in August 2024.
The report noted that this transfer to a maximum-security facility, as a first-time offender, violated sections of the Nigerian Correctional Service Act of 2019.
The panel further detailed the preferential treatment enjoyed by the social media influencer during his time in custody.
“Mr. Okuneye Idris enjoyed several privileges while in custody, including a furnished single cell, access to a fridge and television, frequent visits by family and friends, self-feeding, and inmates assigned to run errands for him.
He also possibly had access to his mobile phone,” Agomoh added.
These revelations have sparked outrage, with critics condemning the disparity in treatment between Bobrisky and other inmates.
In response, the panel recommended the creation of clear guidelines to prevent discriminatory practices based on the socio-economic status of inmates.
The investigation followed viral claims made by a blogger, Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, who accused Bobrisky of bribing officers of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) with ₦15 million to avoid facing money laundering charges.
Bobrisky had faced a six-month prison sentence following an incident in April 2024, which involved allegations of naira spraying during a high-profile event.
Otse further alleged that Bobrisky paid a large sum to secure a comfortable stay in prison.
The crossdresser has denied all allegations, while the EFCC and Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) launched their own investigations.
The House of Representatives also took up the matter, leading to the suspension of some senior NCoS officers.
On September 30, 2024, the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, inaugurated a committee to probe the allegations of misconduct, with a specific focus on Bobrisky’s case.
Tunji-Ojo assured the public that no one involved would be exempt from the probe.
“Nobody will be shielded. Nobody, no matter how highly placed, will be shielded,” the minister said, adding that the committee had two weeks to submit its findings.
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