By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Nigerian crossdresser Idris Okuneye, known as Bobrisky, could face new criminal charges following allegations that he bribed officials to serve his jail term in a private apartment and paid off the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to drop money laundering charges against him.
Bobrisky, sentenced to six months in prison for currency abuse on April 12 and released on August 5, is now under scrutiny. The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, established an investigative panel led by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Magdalena Ajani, on September 30.
The panel aims to probe alleged corruption and other violations within the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) related to Bobrisky’s release.
Tunji-Ojo initiated the probe after activist VeryDarkMan shared a video in which Bobrisky reportedly claimed to have bribed EFCC officials with N15 million to dismiss a money laundering charge and to have paid correctional officers to serve his sentence in private housing. The recording also includes a voice—allegedly Bobrisky’s—stating that a “godfather” and Haliru Nababa, the NCoS Controller General, arranged his housing outside prison.
The panel, however, reported no evidence that Bobrisky stayed outside the Kirikiri Custodial Centre. According to a report obtained by Sunday PUNCH, the panel recommended defamation and criminal charges against Bobrisky, asserting that his false claims damaged the correctional service’s reputation.
The Department of State Services (DSS) was also asked to investigate whether Bobrisky, directly or through intermediaries, bribed EFCC or NCoS officials. If confirmed, additional charges under the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act could follow.
In addition, three correctional officers were cited, including former Controller of Corrections Ben Rabbi-Freeman, who was accused of procedural violations regarding Bobrisky’s transfer between facilities. Deputy Controller of Corrections Micheal Anugwa, responsible for Kirikiri Medium Security, and DCC Balogun Sikiru, formerly in charge of the Maximum Security Custodial Centre, were also recommended for disciplinary action.
The panel further advised a complete audit of NCoS detainees and an overhaul of the prison welfare system, suggesting decoupling welfare services from commercial interests and fostering partnerships with NGOs for support. It also advocated for non-custodial measures across Nigeria to ease overcrowding and reserve imprisonment as a last resort