A traditional ruler in Lagos State has accused prison officials of helping controversial crossdresser Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, to bribe his way to luxury and freedom while he was supposed to be serving a six-month prison sentence.
Chief Babalola Shabi, the Baale of Kirikiri Town and popularly known as “Baale No-Nonsense,” made the shocking claim during a town hall meeting organized by the Lagos State Police Command on Saturday, as part of the National Police Week activities.
According to the traditional leader, Bobrisky smuggled eight ATM cards into the Kirikiri Correctional Centre and used Point of Sale (POS) operators in the area to withdraw a total of N35 million. Shabi said the money was allegedly paid to prison officials in exchange for VIP treatment and a comfortable stay outside prison walls.
Shabi said, “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.”
Private Apartment Instead of Prison Cell
Shabi alleged that Bobrisky was not living inside the prison like other inmates, but was secretly staying in a private apartment arranged by prison staff.
He added, “The crossdresser never really served his sentence in prison. He was kept in a private place, and it was the officials who made it possible.”
According to Baale, he was the one who discovered the fraud after he noticed strange financial activities around Kirikiri. He said he invited all POS operators in the community to his palace and later informed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
“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,” he said.
He explained that some correctional officers were sent to POS vendors with Bobrisky’s ATM cards to withdraw money, which was then shared among those involved.
“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 said.
Property Demolished, Security Agencies Involved
Shabi also revealed that the property where Bobrisky was allegedly kept has been identified and demolished. He said both the Department of State Services (DSS) and the EFCC had invited him for questioning.
He added, “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.”
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Conflicting Reports
This fresh revelation contradicts a report earlier presented by a National Assembly panel. That report claimed Bobrisky received special treatment during his sentence, but remained within the prison throughout the six-month period.
Bobrisky was convicted in 2024 for abusing the naira and was released in August that same year. However, new details continue to emerge.
Controversial social critic Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, also released a voice note recently that allegedly belongs to Bobrisky. In the audio, the speaker claimed to have paid N15 million to EFCC officials to drop money laundering charges.
The voice note also mentioned a mysterious “godfather” who, along with prison staff, made sure Bobrisky served his time in a private apartment and not behind bars.
Public Reaction
The allegations have shocked many Nigerians who are now calling for an open investigation into the matter.
Community resident Adebayo Alabi said, “This shows that the rich can buy freedom, even in prison. We need to fix this broken system.”
Another Lagos resident, Blessing Eze, said, “If this is true, then justice was never served. The government must take this seriously.”
As of now, the Nigerian Correctional Service and the EFCC have not made any public statements about the allegations.
But the Baale of Kirikiri is standing firm. “Let the truth come out. No one is above the law.”