The Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Haliru Nabana, has said that Mr. Idris Okuneye, a crossdresser popularly known as Bobrisky, was kept in a private cell while his jail term lasted.
He reiterated that the convict served his jail term in correctional facility in Lagos State.
Nababa stated this while addressing the House of Representatives Committee investigating alleged bribery and misconduct against the NCS and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Abuja on Monday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Bobrisky was convicted for mutilating the naira and was sentenced to six months in jail.
NAN reports that Mr. Vincent Otse, social media influencer and human rights activist known as VeryDarkMan (VDM) published an audio recording which captured Bobrisky allegedly saying that he spent his jail term in a private apartment.
The audio also captured Bobrisky allegedly saying that he paid N15 million to EFCC officials to drop charges of money laundering against him.
Nanaba, however, explained to the committee that Bobrisky was convicted and was incarcerated from April 12 to August 13, 2024 in the facility.
He said that there was no time when Bobrisky was allowed outside the correctional facility saying that there are records of his activities in jail to show that he was in the facility.
He, however, said that as a result of special features such as mammary gland and curvy hips which portrays Bobrisky like a woman, he was kept in a private cell away from other inmates.
According to him, this is in line with international best practices, as it was meant to protect his human right and to protect him against violation by other inmates.
Nabana also said that for security reasons, Bobrisky was, at a point, moved from Medium Security Custodian Centre to Maximum Security Custodian Centre all within the correctional facility.
Earlier, VDM had told the committee that he was in possession of more evidence yet to be released to the public, saying that he would continue to fight corruption.
He said that while other Nigerians are in jail for offenses committed, Bobrisky should not be given any form of special treatment.
“Nigeria is not for the godfathers, I will not allow corruption, if I see a secret about you, I will tell, I am being very honest, I will not fear anybody because Nigeria is going down.
“I will implore you people to do the right thing because the judiciary system is being messed up so bad, you people have to to save your face,” he said.
He, however, tendered some part of the evidence to the committee and promised to release more as the investigation progresses.
He told the committee to ensure that Bobrisky appears before it and not to tolerate any further disrespect from him.
In his ruling, the Chairman of the Committee, Rep. Ginger Onwusibe (LP-Abia), said that Bobrisky must appear in person in their next hearing.
He demanded video footage of the activities of Bobrisky throughout his term in the correctional facility.
The chairman said that the accounts provided by VDM into which the alleged money for bribe was paid into will be investigated.
The hearing was then adjourned to a further date to announced.
NAN reports that Bobrisky was absent at the hearing and his counsel who came to represent him was not recognised to speak as he had no letter or approval to speak on his behalf. (NAN)
