Popular crossdresser Idris Okuneye, better known as Bobrisky, has become the center of attention once again following fresh allegations surrounding his imprisonment. The Baale of Kirikiri Town, Chief Babalola Shabi, also called “Baale No-Nonsense,” has accused officials from the Nigerian Correctional Service of colluding with the socialite to ensure he received special treatment during his stay in prison.
According to Shabi, Bobrisky smuggled eight Automated Teller Machine (ATM) cards into the Kirikiri custodial facility, using them to transfer a total of N35 million via Point of Sale (POS) operators. This money was allegedly used to bribe prison officials in exchange for VIP treatment, allowing Bobrisky to avoid serving his full sentence behind bars.
Shabi shared these claims during a town hall meeting organized by the Lagos State Police Command, held as part of the National Police Week celebrations. He explained that Bobrisky was housed in a private apartment outside the custodial center, with the assistance of certain correctional officers. “Before the truth came out, everyone believed he was in Kirikiri serving his time. But the reality is that Bobrisky was living comfortably outside the prison walls, thanks to a criminal collaboration involving some officials,” Shabi stated.
It was Shabi’s own actions that led to the revelation of this scandal. He explained that after summoning local POS operators to his palace, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was alerted, enabling them to trace the financial transactions and uncover the money trail. “I personally called in the EFCC after I summoned the POS operators to my palace. From there, they were able to trace the transactions and decode the money trail,” Shabi revealed.
The Baale also explained how correctional officers had instructed POS vendors to withdraw money from Bobrisky’s ATM cards. He emphasized that the speed at which the N35 million was accessed pointed to a well-organized operation. “It was shocking how N35 million could be sourced from around here so quickly. Clearly, this was not a one-man job. The officials who aided him have been suspended,” he said.
In addition, Shabi disclosed that the property where Bobrisky was allegedly kept had since been identified and demolished. He also confirmed that both the Department of State Services (DSS) and the EFCC had questioned him about the matter. “The DSS first invited me for questioning, and I told them everything I knew. The EFCC also reached out, and I gave them my full cooperation. As a community leader, I cannot allow this type of impunity to go unchecked,” he asserted.
This account contradicts a report from a National Assembly panel, which had claimed that while Bobrisky did receive special treatment, he remained within the prison for the duration of his sentence.
Bobrisky had been sentenced to six months in prison in 2024 for abusing the naira, although he was released in August of that year. Controversial social critic Martins Otse, known as VeryDarkMan, also shared an audio recording in which Bobrisky allegedly confessed to paying N15 million to EFCC officials to drop the money laundering charges. In the voice note, Bobrisky claimed that a “godfather,” along with some Nigerian Correctional Service staff, ensured he served his six-month sentence in a private apartment rather than in prison.
