lIn a high-profile investigation that captured public attention, the Federal Government’s investigative panel, led by the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has dismissed allegations that Idris Okuneye, better known as Bobrisky, served his six-month jail term outside a designated prison facility.
This development follows widespread speculation that the popular cross-dresser had stayed in a private apartment rather than in a custodial center for the duration of his sentence.
The panel was established in response to an audio clip released by VDM, in which Bobrisky himself allegedly claimed to have spent his incarceration in a flat located near the prison rather than behind bars.
The claim triggered a public outcry and prompted Dr. Tunji-Ojo to inaugurate an independent investigative team on September 30, 2024, in Abuja.
The goal of the investigation was to determine whether any irregularities or breaches of protocol had taken place during Bobrisky’s confinement.
A key member of the panel, Uju Agomoh, who also serves as the Executive Director and founder of the Prisoners’ Rehabilitation and Welfare Action (PRAWA), provided clarity on the matter during a press briefing.
According to Agomoh, the investigative team thoroughly examined all the available evidence but found no proof to substantiate the accusation that Bobrisky had slept outside the correctional facility throughout the period of his imprisonment, which spanned from April 12, 2024, to August 5, 2024.
“The panel did not find any evidence thus far that suggested Mr. Okuneye slept outside the custodial center during the period of his imprisonment,” Agomoh stated, as quoted by Vanguard.
She further emphasized that their findings confirmed that Bobrisky had served his sentence under the terms outlined by the correctional authorities, with the usual remission policy applied.
Remission is a standard practice in correctional management, where certain inmates are released earlier than their official sentence for good behavior.
Agomoh added that while Bobrisky did receive some privileges during his stay, these privileges were consistent with those offered to other inmates.
The privileges were in accordance with Nigeria’s correctional guidelines, which occasionally allow access to certain non-custodial resources to support the rehabilitation and well-being of prisoners.
The initial allegation sparked controversy due to the celebrity status of Bobrisky and the public’s perception of preferential treatment within Nigeria’s criminal justice system.
However, the investigative report has now quelled these speculations, with the panel concluding that the flamboyant influencer completed his time at the correctional center as mandated by law.
Minister Tunji-Ojo expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the investigation and reassured Nigerians that the government remains committed to upholding transparency and accountability within the correctional system.
He emphasized that no individual, regardless of social status, is above the law and that the custodial centers will continue to operate in line with established protocols.
With the conclusion of the investigation, the controversy surrounding Bobrisky’s prison term has been officially put to rest.
Although the influencer’s flamboyant personality often draws public scrutiny, the findings of the panel affirm that his time in custody was conducted according to the prescribed rules, offering no basis for the rumors that he was granted special treatment by serving his sentence outside a prison environment.
The Minister’s intervention and the thorough investigation carried out by the panel highlight the government’s determination to address public concerns about integrity within the correctional system, ensuring that trust is maintained.
As the dust settles on the case, the outcome serves as a reminder of the government’s commitment to justice and transparency across all sectors.
