A Federal Government-appointed Independent Investigative Panel has confirmed that crossdresser Okuneye Olanrewaju, popularly known as Bobrisky, was held in a soundproofed cell and had unauthorised access to mobile phones while serving his jail term, in clear violation of correctional regulations.
According to the panel, the ex-convict enjoyed unusual privileges across two custodial centres in Lagos, far exceeding what is permitted under Nigerian correctional law.
Bobrisky was sentenced to six months in prison on April 12, 2024, over naira abuse, and was released on August 5 after serving the term.
Weeks later, social media activist Martins Otse, known as VeryDarkMan, leaked an audio recording in which Bobrisky reportedly claimed to have paid ₦15 million to Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) officials to drop money-laundering charges against him, and to have bribed Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS) officials to serve his sentence in a private apartment rather than a prison facility.
The fallout from these claims led the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, to set up a probe panel on September 30, chaired by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Magdalena Ajani.
Luxury Cell, Personal Chef, VIP Transport
The panel’s report, recently handed to the minister, detailed the extent of special treatment Bobrisky received at the Medium and Maximum Security Custodial Centres in Kirikiri.
At the Medium Security facility, he was held in a private single cell equipped with a personal toilet and bathroom, carpeted floors, a television, fridge, humidifier and decorative lighting. He was also allowed self-feeding, with meals brought in by his brother and sister-in-law, and could receive visitors as often and in whatever numbers he wished.
The report noted that he remained on self-feeding at the Maximum Security Centre as well, though the panel said it had not yet confirmed whether this arrangement was formally approved.
At the Maximum facility, his cell — Room A12 — was reportedly decorated with wallpaper and fitted with a large bed, carpet, humidifier and television in an adjoining room. A fellow inmate, previously attached to the Chief Warder’s office, was assigned to attend to his personal needs, and he received visitors inside the office of the facility’s officer-in-charge — an access not extended to regular inmates.
The panel also found that Bobrisky was transported between the two facilities using the operational vehicle of the Lagos State Controller of Corrections, accompanied by the controller himself.
Most notably, investigators discovered that the door to his cell had been soundproofed, and recommended further investigation into why, including whether it was linked to his alleged phone use.
Panel Recommends DSS Investigation, Charges Against VeryDarkMan
The panel called on the Department of State Services (DSS) to investigate whether Bobrisky bribed EFCC or correctional officials, directly or through a proxy, and said he should face anti-corruption charges if the claims are confirmed.
It also recommended that the Nigerian Correctional Service sue Bobrisky for defamation under Sections 373–375 of the Criminal Code over what it described as false claims that damaged the institution’s reputation.
For VeryDarkMan, the panel recommended prosecution on multiple fronts: libel charges under the Criminal Code for spreading unverified claims against government officials, incitement charges under the Cybercrimes Act for allegedly eroding public trust in institutions, and a DSS probe into whether he unlawfully intercepted Bobrisky’s phone calls — an offence that could attract charges under Section 37 of the Cybercrimes Act if proven.
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