The Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Mr. Haliru Nababa, has confirmed that popular cross-dresser Idris Okuneye, known as Bobrisky, served his six-month jail term at a correctional facility in Lagos State, dismissing allegations of special treatment.
Nababa addressed the House of Representatives Committee investigating alleged bribery and misconduct involving the NCoS and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday in Abuja. This follows claims by social media influencer and human rights activist, Mr. Vincent Otse, also known as Very Dark Man (VDM), who released an audio recording suggesting that Bobrisky served his jail term in a private apartment and allegedly paid N15 million to EFCC officials to drop money laundering charges.
Nababa clarified that Bobrisky was incarcerated from April 12 to August 13, 2024, and was never allowed outside the correctional facility. He explained that due to Bobrisky’s unique physical features, he was kept in a private cell for protection, aligning with international best practices to ensure his human rights were safeguarded.
The EFCC also refuted the bribery allegations. The Executive Chairman, Mr. Olanipekun Olukoyede, represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr. Michael Nzekwe, explained that Bobrisky had confessed to failing to declare his firm’s activities to the Special Control Unit against Money Laundering (SCUML) as required by law. However, after an investigation revealed that his company, Bob Express, was not a Designated Non-Financial Business and Profession (DNFBP), the EFCC dropped the charges without any inducement.
VDM, who testified before the committee, vowed to continue fighting corruption, presenting some evidence and promising to release more as investigations progress. He urged the committee to ensure that Bobrisky is not granted special treatment, asserting that no one should be above the law.
The Committee Chairman, Rep. Ginger Onwusibe (LP-Abia), ordered that Bobrisky must appear in person at the next hearing and requested video footage of his activities during his jail term for review. The hearing was adjourned to a later date, with further investigations into the alleged bribery transactions to continue.
Bobrisky was notably absent, and his counsel was not permitted to speak due to the lack of authorization.
