Crossdresser Bobrisky Faces Potential New Charges Over Alleged Bribery and Jail Claims

Nigerian crossdresser Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, may soon confront additional criminal charges following allegations that he served his jail term in a private residence and bribed officials to drop charges. The accusations have led to a government investigation, with officials calling for possible defamation and corruption charges against him.

Bobrisky, who completed a six-month sentence for abusing the naira on August 5, 2024, has been accused by social critic Martins Otse, aka VeryDarkMan, of bribing officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) with N15 million to dismiss money laundering allegations. A leaked voice note purportedly features Bobrisky admitting to bribing EFCC officers and the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) for the arrangement.

In response, Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo established a probe panel, led by Permanent Secretary Magdalena Ajani, to investigate the claims. The panel found no evidence that Bobrisky was housed outside Kirikiri Custodial Centre, but it noted that his claims damaged the correctional service’s reputation. They recommended defamation charges against him under Sections 373-375 of Nigeria’s Criminal Code Act and suggested the Department of State Services investigate potential bribery links between Bobrisky and EFCC or NCoS officials. If proven, he could be charged under the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act.

The panel also highlighted misconduct by correctional officers, implicating four officials, including former Controller of Corrections Ben Rabbi-Freeman, for improperly transferring Bobrisky between facilities. Additional officers were recommended for disciplinary action due to backdating records and other procedural lapses.

A senior NCoS official defended the handling of detainees, clarifying that specific prisoners are placed in different facilities based on their health, age, and safety needs. Bobrisky’s unique situation required a separate cell to avoid potential abuse, which he allegedly misrepresented as a “private apartment.”

The panel further advised a system-wide audit of custodial records to prevent future controversies and urged the implementation of non-custodial measures to alleviate facility overcrowding across Nigeria.