KIRIKIRI, Nigeria – Fresh controversy has erupted over the incarceration of popular cross-dresser, Idris Okuneye, better known as Bobrisky, as a traditional ruler in Lagos accused officials of the Nigerian Correctional Service of aiding the socialite’s alleged bribery scheme to secure preferential treatment during his stay in prison.
Chief Babalola Shabi, the Baale of Kirikiri Town and known as “Baale No-Nonsense,” claimed that Bobrisky smuggled eight Automated Teller Machine (ATM) cards into the Kirikiri custodial facility.
He allegedly used these cards to funnel a total of N35 million through Point of Sale (POS) operators in the area, reportedly to bribe prison officials for VIP treatment.
Shabi made these revelations during a town hall meeting organized by the Lagos State Police Command, which was part of events marking the National Police Week on Saturday, April 5, 2025.
According to the Baale, Bobrisky did not fully serve his sentence behind bars but was instead housed in a private apartment outside the custodial facility—an arrangement allegedly orchestrated by corrupt correctional officials.
“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.
The traditional ruler explained that he had played a key role in uncovering the scandal.
He said that after inviting local POS operators to his palace, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) became involved in tracing the transactions and unraveling 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 said.
According to him, the criminal arrangement involved correctional officers who directed POS vendors to withdraw funds from Bobrisky’s ATM cards, suggesting a well-organized ring of collaborators.
The ease with which the money was sourced, he said, pointed to a network of people working together.
“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,” Shabi added.
He also revealed that the property where Bobrisky was allegedly kept during his incarceration had been identified and demolished.
Both the Department of State Services (DSS) and the EFCC have reportedly interrogated him over the incident.
“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,” Shabi said.
This revelation contradicts an earlier report by a National Assembly panel, which stated that while Bobrisky received preferential treatment, he remained within the prison premises throughout his sentence.
Bobrisky was sentenced to six months in prison in 2024 for abusing the naira, but he was released in August of that year.
Adding to the controversy, social critic Martins Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan, shared a voice note allegedly belonging to Bobrisky.
In the recording, Bobrisky claimed to have paid N15 million to some EFCC officials to have the money laundering charge against him dropped.
In the same audio, he also claimed that a “godfather,” alongside staff members of the Nigerian Correctional Service, ensured he served his sentence in a private apartment rather than in the prison.
