Naira abuse: Bobrisky still in Ikoyi prison, say NCoS officials

The controversial cross-dresser Idris Okuneye, also known as Bobrisky, was sentenced to six months in prison for abusing naira notes. The Nigeria Correctional Service has denied any knowledge of this and stated that it was transferred from the Ikoyi correctional institution to its other facility in Kirikiri, Lagos State.

It was claimed last weekend that Bobrisky had been quietly moved to Kirikiri Prison, where he was supposed to serve out his sentence.

He remained detained at the Ikoyi prison.

The defendant did not commit a capital act that would have justified his transfer to a maximum jail, which houses most inmates serving life sentences or death sentences, according to the official, who begged to remain anonymous because he was not allowed to comment on the subject.
"Bobrisky is still here in Ikoyi; he has not been relocated. He did not receive a life sentence or a death sentence. Most individuals who get life sentences or death sentences are housed in the maximum jail. That is mostly predicated on the death penalty. Regarding Bobrisky, the source questioned why he was being sent to Kirikiri given that he had not committed a capital crime.

Moving some detainees across the state's detention institutions was still being discussed, according to another official, who also wished to remain anonymous because he lacked the official authority to communicate with the media.

The change was made for decongestion, the NCoS spokesman continued.

Sometimes, in order to decongest a prison, we decide to transfer convicts when we find out how many there are. Not that anyone has been moved; we are only thinking about that right now. The prison administration is free to relocate if they so want. Additionally, we take action in the event that the individual has a contagious illness, the prisoner has asked to be placed close to family, or there has been a humanitarian plea.

In order to make room for those awaiting trial, the leadership may also remark, "Let's spread those who have less than one year sentence," which may apply to Bobrisky. However, the source revealed that these individuals seldom end themselves in the maximum penitentiary.

Contacts to Rotimi Oladokun, the NCS spokesperson for the Lagos State Command, were not returned. As of the time this report was filed, he had not replied to a text message.

The crossdresser was inspected upon entry and found to have neither a gender realignment nor genital organ misalignment. He is housed in the same cell as male inmates.

Our correspondent was informed by an official source that the convicted transvestite had been according to the guidelines and protocols established within the facility.

On Wednesday, April 3, 2024, Bobrisky was taken into custody by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. The commission claims that Bobrisky was invited as a result of a video reportof spraying new naira notes at the premiere of Eniola Ajao’s movie titled, ‘Ajakaju’, which was held at FilmOne Circle Mall, Lekki, Lagos, on March 24, 2024.
On Friday, April 5, 2024, a Federal High Court in Lagos found him guilty of the naira abuse allegations brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

The EFCC filed six charges against him, the latter two of which dealt with alleged money laundering and the first four of which were about naira abuse.

The EFCC prosecutor asked the court to dismiss counts five and six prior to the charges being read.

Bobrisky entered a guilty plea on all four charges of misusing naira. He requested a pardon prior to his conviction, stating that he was ignorant of the regulations against naira misuse and promising to inform his followers on social media about it.