The Federal Government investigative panel, on Monday, revealed that cross-dresser Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, enjoyed some special privileges in prison, including furnished single cells, a designated inmate to run errands for him, access to a fridge and television, among others.
The panel, constituted by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, about three weeks ago, probed allegations that the crossdresser spent his six-month jail term outside the prison facility.
Recall that Bobrisky, who was jailed for six months over Naira abuse, made headlines after controversial social critic Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, shared a voice note in which Bobrisky purportedly claimed that he bribed some Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) officials with fifteen million naira to drop the money laundering charges against him, among others.
But, in its report submitted to the minister, the panel headed by the Interior Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr Magdalene Ajani, cleared Bobrisky of the allegation that he spent his jail term outside the prison, saying there was no evidence to support the claim.
The interim report also revealed that proper documentation of Okuneye Idris was not made prior, or as he was being transferred from Ikoyi Custodial Centre to Medium Custodial Centre, and from Medium Custodial Centre Kirikiri Apapa Lagos to the Maximum Custodial Centre Kirikiri Apapa, Lagos.
It noted that the documents were later provided on September 28th, 2024, and backdated to April 12th and 22nd, 2024, respectively.
“These are in violation of sections 168 and 169 of the Nigerian Correctional Service Standing Order Custodial.
“The transfer of Mr Okuneye Idris from the Medium Security Kirikiri, Lagos, to the Maximum Security Kirikiri, Lagos, being a first offender, violated sections 16(4)(a) and (b) of the Nigerian Correctional Service 2019.
“The Panel also found that Mr Okuneye Idris enjoyed several privileges while in custody both at the Medium-Security and the Maximum-Security Custodial Centres, which include specially furnished single cells, a humidifier, lots of visitation by his family members and friends as he desired, visits by his family members and friends held inside the office of the in-charge of the custodial centre, a floor rug, self-feeding, a designated inmate to run errands for him, access to a fridge and television, and possibly access to his phone.
“It is necessary to further investigate if the above privileges provided for Okuneye Idris were financially motivated and based on corrupt practices by correctional officers.
“The panel believes that the peculiar case of the inmate and the inmate’s physical look and behaviour pose a threat, and the lack of laid-down rule for the treatment of such a case may have necessitated such privileges to be granted to Okuneye Idris.
“The Panel recommends that clear guidelines need to be set up to guide operations regarding such incidents in the future. Steps should be taken to avoid the obvious discriminatory practices in relation to the socio-economic levels and other status of inmates,” it stated.
Tribune
