An Independent Investigative Panel set up by the Federal Government to investigate the detention conditions of crossdresser, Okuneye Olanrewaju, popularly known as Bobrisky, has revealed that he was kept in a soundproofed cell.
The panel said the ex-convict enjoyed extraordinary privileges, including the use of mobile phones across two custodial centres in Lagos.
Such privileges, the panel said, were far beyond what is permissible under Nigerian correctional law.
The panel also recommended the prosecution of social media activist, Martins Otse, known as Very Dark Man, over allegations of data privacy violations and incitement.
Bobrisky was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment on April 12, 2024, for naira abuse and was released on August 5 after completing the jail term.
Weeks after his release, Very Dark Man shared an audio recording purportedly of a conversation between Bobrisky and another individual.
In the recording, Bobrisky allegedly claimed that he paid N15m to officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to drop money laundering charges against him.
He also allegedly stated that he bribed officials of the Nigerian Correctional Service to allow him serve his prison term in a private apartment rather than in custody.
The allegations sparked widespread public outrage, prompting the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, to set up an investigative panel on September 30, chaired by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Magdalena Ajani, to probe the claims.
The panel’s report, which was recently submitted to the minister, detailed a litany of special treatment accorded to Bobrisky during his incarceration at both the Medium Security and Maximum Security Custodial Centres in Kirikiri, Lagos.
At the Medium Security Custodial Centre, the panel found that Bobrisky was housed in a special single cell complete with a personal toilet and bathroom, a floor carpet, a television, a fridge, a humidifier and “good-looking electric bulbs.”
He was also placed on self-feeding, with his brother and sister-in-law authorised to bring him meals.
Another privilege granted to Bobrisky was visitation by his family members and friends as frequently as they desired and in the numbers they desired.
“Okuneye Idris was on self-feeding during his time at the Maximum Custodial Centre. The panel has not yet ascertained if this was officially applied for,” the report added.
The privileges did not diminish at the Maximum Security Custodial Centre. There, Bobrisky’s cell was decorated with wallpaper and furnished with a big bed, carpet, humidifier and a television in an adjoining decorated room.
Also, a fellow inmate was assigned to attend to his personal needs.
The report noted that the assigned inmate had previously been attached to the Chief Warder’s office.
Bobrisky also reportedly received visitors as frequently as he desired and in whatever numbers he chose, with such visits conducted inside the office of the facility’s officer-in-charge, a privilege not available to ordinary inmates.
In both facilities, he was also transported in the operational vehicle of the Controller of Lagos State Command, accompanied by the State Controller himself.
“Transportation from medium-security to maximum-security Kirikiri with the operational vehicle of the then Controller of Lagos State Command and in the company of the State Controller,” it said.
One of the most troubling findings in the report was the discovery of a soundproofed door on Bobrisky’s private cell, Room A12, at the Maximum Security Custodial Centre, a feature distinctly different from every other door on the same floor.
“There is the need to thoroughly investigate why the door was padded to understand what noise or sound was being shielded from the others,” the panel stated, adding that it would “be good to know whether this was because of the use of the phone or for any other reasons.”
The panel further confirmed its belief that Bobrisky was using mobile phones inside his cell, despite such use being prohibited.
The panel recommended that the Department of State Services be requested to investigate whether Bobrisky directly or through a proxy bribed EFCC or NCoS officials and that, if substantiated, he should face charges under anti-corruption laws.
The panel further recommended that the NCoS file defamation suits against Bobrisky under Sections 373 to 375 of the Criminal Code Act, citing his “false claims about bypassing the prison system, tarnishing the institution’s reputation.”
On VDM, the panel recommended that he be charged with libel under Sections 373 to 375 of the Criminal Code for disseminating unverified claims that defamed government officials and agencies.
“Libel: Very Dark Man should be charged under Sections 373-375 of the Criminal Code for disseminating unverified claims that defamed government officials and agencies.
“Incitement: He should also be charged with incitement under the Cybercrimes Act, which prohibits the spread of false information intended to erode public trust in institutions.
“Data Privacy Violations: The DSS should be requested to investigate whether Very Dark Man unlawfully intercepted Bobrisky’s phone conversations. If proven, he may face charges under Section 37 of the Cybercrimes Act for illegal communication interception,” the report stated.