Okuneye Idris Olanrewaju, widely known as Bobrisky, a popular Nigerian transgender woman and social media influencer, has recently been at the center of controversy following reports that she spent only three weeks in prison, despite being sentenced to six months for naira abuse back in April. According to a report from FIJ NG, her early release has sparked renewed discussions about the influence of money and power within the Nigerian prison system.
The story gained further attention when a social media personality, Martins Vincent Otse, better known as VeryDarkMan, released an audio recording in which Bobrisky allegedly confessed to having served most of her sentence outside of prison. In the recording, Bobrisky is said to have paid N15 million to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to have charges of ‘money laundering’ against her dismissed, allowing her to avoid serving her full sentence behind bars.
The revelation has once again brought attention to long-standing allegations of corruption within Nigerian prisons, prompting Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo to demand a thorough and comprehensive investigation into the bribery and corruption practices within the Nigerian Correctional Service. This call for action has raised questions about how such incidents of preferential treatment and early release continue to occur.
FIJ sources familiar with Bobrisky’s case have confirmed that she was initially transferred to Kirikiri prison in April after her sentencing, but her time there was unusually short. According to these sources, Bobrisky left the prison after only three weeks, despite her official release date being in August. The arrangement, they say, was a well-orchestrated scheme that involved money changing hands in exchange for her freedom.
A prison official disclosed to FIJ, “Bob spent only three weeks here with us in Kirikiri before she was taken out to another place we don’t know. That was where she spent her time; it was an ‘arrange thing.’ And money was involved.” This statement aligns with ongoing concerns that financial influence plays a significant role in determining the treatment of high-profile prisoners.
Furthermore, the prison official explained that Bobrisky was treated as a VIP during her brief stay at Kirikiri, receiving protection equivalent to that of a president. “She was guarded like a president,” the source said, adding that she was housed in a special cell, and confirming that the financial transaction Bobrisky mentioned in the leaked audio was indeed true.
The allegations against Bobrisky are consistent with earlier findings from a 2019 undercover investigation conducted by FIJ’s founder, ‘Fisayo Soyombo. His investigation uncovered the extent to which inmates could pay for various luxuries, including furnished cells and access to prohibited items, while serving time in Nigerian prisons. This latest case with Bobrisky further demonstrates the deep-seated corruption that allows wealthy or influential individuals to receive privileged treatment while incarcerated.
Another unusual incident involving Bobrisky’s prison stay came to light when a fellow inmate accidentally recorded her during a video call. The inmate reportedly faced severe punishment as a result of this mishap, which shed more light on the secretive nature of her time in custody.
The story became more confusing when fellow crossdresser, James Brown, claimed to have visited Bobrisky in prison on June 8. However, sources close to James later clarified that she was not in prison at that time, and the visit was actually to see another inmate while recording a song. This mix-up further adds to the mystery surrounding Bobrisky’s prison stay and release.
As of now, the Nigerian Correctional Service has remained tight-lipped regarding the specifics of Bobrisky’s imprisonment. There has been no official confirmation or denial of the allegations surrounding her early release and special treatment. However, in response to the growing scandal, the Interior Ministry has suspended two deputy controllers of corrections, suggesting that there will be further investigation into the case.