Controversial crossdresser Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, is facing potential new legal troubles as fresh allegations emerge surrounding his imprisonment.
Reports indicated that he may have served his sentence in a private apartment and allegedly bribed officials from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to drop money laundering charges against him.
According to an exclusive report by The PUNCH, a panel was formed to investigate these claims and has recommended that Bobrisky be charged with defamation and other criminal offenses.
Bobrisky was sentenced to six months in prison on April 12 for abusing the naira, but he was released earlier than expected on August 5.
The controversy intensified following the release of a voice note by social critic Martins Otse, known as VeryDarkMan.
In this recording, Bobrisky purportedly admitted to bribing EFCC officers with N15 million to have the money laundering charges against him dismissed.
He also allegedly claimed to have bribed Nigerian Correctional Service officials to allow him to serve his sentence outside the confines of the Kirikiri Custodial Centre.
In response to these serious allegations, Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo established an investigation panel on September 30, led by Permanent Secretary Magdalena Ajani.
The panel’s findings indicated no evidence to support Bobrisky’s claims that he had slept outside the correctional facility during his imprisonment.
Reports revealed that Bobrisky’s statements have been deemed damaging to the image of the Nigerian Correctional Service, prompting calls for legal action against him.
The panel urged the Department of State Services to investigate whether Bobrisky bribed EFCC or Correctional Service officials directly or indirectly.
Should these allegations be proven true, Bobrisky could face charges under the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act for bribery of public officials.
“The Nigerian Correctional Service should file defamation suits against Bobrisky under sections 373-375 of the Criminal Code Act for his false claims about bypassing the prison system, tarnishing the institution’s reputation,” the report stated.
Additionally, the panel identified four correctional officers for disciplinary action, including Ben Rabbi-Freeman, a former Controller of Corrections, who was found to have improperly processed Bobrisky’s transfer documentation during his incarceration.
The panel’s findings highlighted that certain correctional officers failed to adhere to procedural guidelines.
For instance, Deputy Controller of Corrections Micheal Anugwa allegedly received Bobrisky into the Medium Security Custodial Centre without the appropriate documentation, and DCC Balogun Sikiru (retired) allowed Bobrisky into the Maximum Security Custodial Centre under similarly questionable circumstances.
In light of these findings, the panel has recommended a thorough audit of all inmates and detainees across the Nigerian Correctional Service to ensure proper record-keeping and compliance with regulations.
They also called for the immediate de-commercialization of all welfare and support services for inmates and the establishment of partnerships with civil society organizations for better oversight and care.
A senior management officer within the Nigerian Correctional Service commented on the situation, stating that what many perceive as “VIP treatment” for certain inmates has been a longstanding feature of the custodial system.
They explained that various facilities exist within the custodial centers to accommodate prisoners based on their health, age, gender, and the nature of their sentences.
“There are different facilities in the custodial centres across the country, and it is not out of place to treat some of the prisoners according to their health conditions, sex, age, and category of the sentence,” the officer elaborated. “Importantly, the prison authority also considers human rights and the treatment of the prisoners.”
This incident has opened up discussions about the specific needs of inmates, particularly in cases like Bobrisky’s, where his unique situation necessitated placement in a separate cell to avoid potential abuse.
The officer clarified that Bobrisky had been classified as a woman from the waist up, complicating his classification within the prison system.
“The case of Bobrisky is an eye-opener for us,” the officer concluded, highlighting the complexities of handling unique inmates while ensuring their rights and safety.
