CONTROVERSIAL crossdresser, Idris Olanrewaju Okuneye, (popularly known as Bobrisky) was reportedly arrested this morning at the border between Nigeria and the Republic of Benin.
He/she was reportedly picked up after he/she tried to escape the ongoing investigation by the House of Representatives, Ministry of Interior and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). He/she, in an audio tape, alleged that officials of EFCC were collected Fifteen Million Naira (N15,000,000.00) in order to have the charge of money laundering he/she was initially accused of dropped for the lesser grievous Naira abuse charge of which he/she was subsequently convicted of.
He/she also alleged that he/she bribed some officers of the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS), which enabled him/her to stay in an apartment outside the Kirikiri Correctional Facility for the six months he/she was incarcerated.
He Is A Person Of Interest, NIS Gives Reason For Arrest
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has said Bobrisky is a person of interest hence its decision to effect his/her arrest.
A statement signed by DCI KT Udo, Service Public Relations Officer, Service Headquarters, Abuja, stated that the crossdresser was intercepted at Seme Border while attempting to exit the country.
“The Service wishes to inform the public that OKUNEYE IDRIS is a person of interest over recent issues of public concern. He is undergoing interrogation and will be handed over to the appropriate authorities for further action.
“The Service assures the public that it will continue to be civil and professional in its statutory responsibility of manning the country’s borders”
Meanwhile, an investigative panel set up by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, to probe alleged claim of bribery against top officials of NCoS has concluded that there is no evidence to support claims that he/she spent time outside prison following his/her sentencing.
Bobrisky was released from prison on 5 August after being sentenced to six months on 12 April for abusing the naira.
The probe was initiated following the release of a audio by controversial activist VeryDarkMan in which Bobrisky allegedly claimed to have bribed officials of EFCC.
In the audio, a voice purportedly belonging to Bobrisky also alleged that a “godfather,” along with Haliru Nababa, the Controller-General of NCoS facilitated his/her confinement in a private apartment rather than a standard prison setting.
On 30 September, Tunji-Ojo inaugurated the investigative panel, led by Magdalena Ajani, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, to examine “alleged corruption and other violations against the Nigerian Correctional Service.”
Presenting the phase one report at the ministry earlier today, Uju Agomoh, Executive Director and Founder of Prisoners’ Rehabilitation and Welfare Action (PRAWA), stated that the panel “found no evidence to suggest that Mr Okuneye slept outside the custodial facility during his imprisonment, which lasted from 12 April 2024 to 5 August 2024, representing a six-month correctional sentence with the usual remission applicable.”
Eighteen-Eleven Media