Why we set up committee to investigate Bobrisky – FG

The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has stated that the controversy surrounding popular cross-dresser Idris Okuneye, known as Bobrisky, reveals deeper systemic challenges within Nigeria’s institutions.

Reports indicate that Bobrisky, recently jailed over naira abuse, allegedly received special treatment in prison by paying Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) officials. Viral audio clips claimed that bribes secured him favorable conditions while in custody.

In an appearance on Politics Today on Channels Television, Tunji-Ojo commented on the ongoing scandal, pointing to a broader institutional issue. “When there is an institutional problem, quick fixes aren’t enough,” he stated, noting that a committee has been set up to investigate these and other issues, including instances of official misconduct. “This reflects a serious institutional problem,” he added.

He further stressed the importance of systemic reform to prevent future incidents. “We can’t keep passing today’s problems onto future generations,” he said.

Additional allegations arose when blogger Martins Otse (aka VeryDarkMan) claimed in videos that Bobrisky paid ₦15 million to Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) officials to evade money laundering charges. After his April 2024 sentencing, reports surfaced that further payments secured him a preferential prison location, though Bobrisky has denied all allegations.

In response, the EFCC and NCoS initiated investigations, and the House of Representatives also requested testimonies from those involved. The Federal Government has since suspended several senior NCoS officers.

On September 30, 2024, Minister Tunji-Ojo established a committee to investigate NCoS for alleged misconduct. After a thorough review, the committee reported finding no evidence of special privileges for Bobrisky during his April to August 2024 sentence, in accordance with correctional center policies.