FG Panel Exposes Special Treatment Given To Bobrisky In Prison, Recommends Action Against VDM

An independent investigative panel set up by the federal government has revealed that controversial crossdresser Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, enjoyed unlawful privileges during his six-month jail term.

The panel, which was established to investigate whether Bobrisky actually served his sentence, found that the ex-convict was kept in a special soundproofed cell and enjoyed extraordinary treatment that went far beyond what is allowed under Nigerian correctional laws.

According to the official report, these special privileges included the constant use of mobile phones, having a fellow inmate assigned to attend to his personal needs, feeding himself rather than eating prison meals, and receiving frequent visits from family members and friends without restrictions at both the Medium and Maximum Security Custodial Centres in Kirikiri, Lagos.

Following these findings, the panel heavily indicted the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) for providing the crossdresser with special treatment and put forward several strong recommendations for further legal action. The panel recommended that the Department of State Services (DSS) directly investigate whether Bobrisky or his representatives bribed officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) or the prison service, and suggested that the NCoS file defamation lawsuits against Bobrisky for making false claims that tarnished the institution’s reputation.

Furthermore, the panel recommended that social media critic VeryDarkMan (VDM) be prosecuted for libel, incitement, and data privacy violations after he leaked unverified audio recordings that defamed government officials.

Bobrisky was originally sentenced to six months in prison on April 12, 2024, for abusing the Naira, and was released on August 5, 2024, while the official probe was ordered by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, on September 30, following the public outrage sparked by the leaked audio clips.