There seems to be more trouble for Nigeria popular cross dresser, Idris Okuneye aka Bobrisky as the Federal Government, FG Investigative Panel set up by the Ministry of Interior says there were backdated documents of his transfer from one correctional centre to another and there was concern for possible act of corruption among prison officials following the kind of preferential or special treatments given to the cross dresser, this appeared to be  against the widely circulated media reports on Monday by some media houses which apparently to have wrongly or under reported the findings of the FG panel.

The Federal Government Investigative Panel did not dismiss the allegation that Bobrisky served his jail term outside the prison wall, the Panel only said there was no evidence to back the claim; as it is yet to complete the investigation which it promised to embark on its second phase next year, but, a careful study of the Panel preliminary findings suggest Bobrisky apparently served his jail term outside the Prison wall because, according to the FG Panel, Prison officials were found wanting of falsifying and backdating documents of Bobrisky transfer from one correctional centre to another.

The Ministry of Interior in a press release on Monday clarifies the findings of the investigative Panel with the Minister of Interior assuring the public to make officials involved to face disciplinary action.

Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS had stated in a press release on Monday that its men arrested Bobrisky while trying to flee the country at Seme border.

NIS statement reads and in quote: “In keeping with its commitment to securing the borders, Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) intercepted Okuneye ldris Olanrewaju otherwise known as Bobrisky at the Seme Border over an attempt 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”, DCI K T Udo, nigeria Immigration Service Public Relations Officer stated in the statement.

There were media reports on Monday that the Federal Government’s investigative panel has cleared popular crossdresser Idris Okuneye, also known as Bobrisky, of allegations that she evaded her jail term.

Bobrisky purportedly claimed in the audio that his sentence was cushioned by high-level officials, including the Controller General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Haliru Nababa, allowing him to serve time in a private residence rather than in prison.

The panel’s report, released on Monday, October 21, confirmed that there was no evidence to support claims that Bobrisky spent part of her six-month prison sentence outside Kirikiri Correctional Centre, according to the media reports.

Bobrisky had been sentenced on April 12, 2024, for naira mutilation and released on August 5, 2024.

The investigation followed allegations from activist VeryDarkMan, who accused Bobrisky of spending her sentence in a lodge rather than at the Kirikiri facility, citing influence from a powerful godfather.

VeryDarkMan also released an audio recording in which Bobrisky allegedly claimed to have bribed Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) officials with ₦15 million to drop money laundering charges.

In response, the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, ordered a probe into the claims.

On September 30, he established an investigative panel chaired by Magdalena Ajani, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, to investigate corruption and misconduct within the Nigerian Correctional Service.

The Ministry of Interior in a press release on Monday titled; “FG Unveils Phase 1 Report on Correctional System Reforms” stated in quote thus:

“The public presentation of the Phase 1 report of the Independent Investigative Panel on alleged corruption, abuse of power, torture, cruel, inhumane, and degrading treatment within the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) held on Monday 21st October, 2024 at Honourable Minister’s Conference Hall, Abuja.

In his remarks at the unveiling of the phase one report, the Honourable Minister, Honourable  Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo commended the panel for its thorough and diligent work, which began three weeks ago with a commitment to transparency and institutional reform.

He reiterated the Ministry’s stance on zero tolerance for corruption, abuse of power, and any form of human rights violations, stressing that the investigation is part of a broader effort to build a transformative correctional service.

“The Nigerian Correctional Service is a key institution within our justice system and national security architecture, and we will not condone any form of cruelty, inhumane treatment, or malfeasance.” the Minister stated.

Dr Tunji-Ojo assured that officers found culpable would face appropriate disciplinary actions and that this initiative marked the beginning of a comprehensive reform to create a rehabilitative and corrective correctional service.

“We have a duty to ensure that our correctional institutions are places of rehabilitation and not of suffering. This report is a first step in a long journey to restore integrity and human rights in our correctional system. We will not tolerate any form of misconduct or abuse within our custodial facilities,” he reiterated.

In the same vein, Chairman of the Committee and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Dr Magdalene Ajani, reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to ensuring accountability and transparency throughout the reform process, noting that “this first phase of the report serves as a foundational step towards achieving best practices in line with international standards for correctional services”.

The report findings, presented by the Secretary of the Investigative Panel, Dr Uju Agomoh, highlighted several critical issues uncovered during the phase 1 of the investigation.

The Committee investigated allegations regarding the treatment and privileges granted to Idris Okuneye (popularly known as Bobrisky) during his recent incarceration. The panel did not find any evidence that suggested that he slept outside the Custodial Centre during the period of his imprisonment. The panel also noted that there were irregularities in his transfers between custodial centres, including backdated documentation.

Additionally, Okuneye enjoyed privileges such as a furnished single cell, frequent visits, and access to amenities, raising concerns about possible preferential treatment and corruption.

On the allegation of financial misconduct involving the family of a former Chairperson of the defunct Pension Reform Task Team, Abdulrasheed Maina, the Committee confirmed that funds were transferred to the personal account of the officer in charge at Kuje Custodial Center, Deputy Controller of Corrections Kelvin Ikechukwu, by Maina’s son, allegedly for the welfare of the inmate. This action was deemed unethical and a violation of the regulations governing correctional officers.

The report also highlighted systemic issues, including widespread allegations of corruption, indiscipline, human rights violations, and poor welfare conditions for both inmates and correctional staff. The panel noted that these issues were exacerbated by the underfunding of the Nigerian Correctional Service and the poor working conditions of its officers.

The Committee further recommended urgent reforms, including clear operational guidelines, improved training for custodial officers, and measures to eliminate discriminatory practices based on inmates’ socio-economic status.

It announced that the next phase of its work would involve broader investigations, public hearings, and the solicitation of memoranda from stakeholders to ensure transparency and public involvement in the reform process.

The Phase 2 report will be presented within the next year, with a focus on addressing systemic challenges and implementing sustainable reforms”, Ozoya Imohimi, Director of Press and Public Relations Department, Ministry of Interior stated in the statement.