A fresh controversy has emerged surrounding the recent incarceration of popular Nigerian crossdresser, Idris Okuneye, also known as Bobrisky, after the Baale (traditional ruler) of Kirikiri Town, Chief Babalola Shabi, accused Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS) officials of facilitating a bribery scheme that allowed Bobrisky to enjoy VIP treatment during his prison stay.
During a town hall meeting organized by the Lagos State Police Command on Saturday, Chief Shabi, popularly known as “Baale No-Nonsense,” alleged that Bobrisky smuggled eight Automated Teller Machine (ATM) cards into the Kirikiri custodial facility. The socialite reportedly used the cards to funnel a total of N35 million through Point of Sale (POS) operators in the area, which was allegedly used to bribe prison officials for preferential treatment.
Shabi claimed that Bobrisky did not serve his sentence as widely believed but was instead accommodated in a private apartment outside the prison walls, an arrangement reportedly orchestrated by corrupt prison officials.
“Before the truth came out, everyone thought he was in Kirikiri serving his sentence. But the reality is that Bobrisky was living comfortably outside the prison, thanks to the illegal collaboration involving some prison officers,” Shabi stated.
The traditional ruler explained that his own efforts helped expose the scandal. He revealed that he had summoned the POS operators from his community to his palace, which led to an investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The EFCC was able to trace the financial transactions and uncover the money trail.
“I personally called in the EFCC after I gathered the POS operators. From there, they were able to trace the transactions and decode the money trail,” he added.
According to Shabi, the arrangement involved correctional officers instructing POS vendors to withdraw funds from Bobrisky’s ATM cards. He expressed shock at the rapid movement of N35 million, indicating a well-coordinated scheme involving multiple collaborators.
“It was surprising how N35 million could be sourced so quickly. This was clearly not a one-man job. The officials who were complicit have been suspended,” Shabi further explained.
The traditional ruler also revealed that the private property where Bobrisky was allegedly kept during his time in custody had been identified and demolished. Both the Department of State Services (DSS) and the EFCC have reportedly questioned Shabi over the matter.
“The DSS first invited me for questioning, and I shared everything I knew. The EFCC also reached out, and I fully cooperated with them. As a community leader, I cannot allow this type of impunity to continue,” he said.
This new account contradicts an earlier report presented by a National Assembly panel, which had stated that while Bobrisky enjoyed some privileges, he remained within the prison facility throughout his sentence.
Bobrisky was sentenced to six months in prison in 2024 for abusing the naira, a case that sparked widespread public attention. He was released in August of that year.
Additionally, controversial social critic Martins Otse, known as VeryDarkMan, had previously shared a voice note in which Bobrisky allegedly claimed to have paid N15 million to some EFCC officials to drop a money laundering charge against him. In the same voice note, Bobrisky allegedly mentioned that a “godfather,” alongside some staff members of the Nigerian Correctional Service, helped him serve his sentence in a private apartment rather than in prison.
This ongoing controversy continues to fuel discussions about the extent of corruption within the Nigerian Correctional Service and the ways in which wealthy and influential individuals may bypass the justice system.
