The Nigerian Correctional Service is investigating allegations surrounding cross-dresser Idris Okuneye aka Bobrisky’s stay in prison, with findings still pending.
Abubakar Umar, Deputy Controller of Corrections Service Public Relations Officer, confirmed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja.
Umar emphasized the service’s commitment to rehabilitation and safety through its comprehensive inmate admission process.
The investigation stems from claims that Bobrisky served part of his six-month prison sentence in a private apartment instead of a correctional facility, allegedly involving a bribe.
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, ordered the probe, stressing that any form of misconduct or bribery will not be tolerated. A special investigative team is handling the case.
Bobrisky was convicted for mutilating the naira in April and was sentenced to six months in jail.
Mr Vincent Otse, social media influencer and human rights activist known as Very Dark Man published an audio recording which captured Bobrisky allegedly saying that he spent his jail term in a private apartment.
The audio also captured Bobrisky allegedly saying that he paid N15 million to Economic and Financial Crimes Commission officials to drop charges of money laundering against him.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government, on Monday, September 30, inaugurated an independent investigative panel to probe allegations of corruption and gross violations of standard operating procedures within the NCoS.
The Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who inaugurated the committee said that the panel must also look at the recent allegations that some correctional service personnel had provided alternative accommodation for Bobrisky.
Umar, however, explained that inmates undergo comprehensive assessments to determine security risks, needs, and responsivity issues when brought to custodial centres.
According to him, the admission board evaluates each inmate to ensure safe housing and effective rehabilitation.
Umar, who outlined the service’s rigorous admission process for inmates, added that adherence to human rights principles through the approach was also paramount.
“Well, upon conviction of every offender from court, either awaiting trial or convicted, once they are brought to our facility, there is a process they go through before and during admission.
“Let me say during admission, there is what we call admission board, which comprises the officer in charge, the second in command, the medical officer in charge of the custodial center, the record officer and other relevant officers.
“They will go through the information contained therein in the warrants, also, before he will be allocated cell, there is what we call, determination of security.
“Determination of security refers to one’s risk assessment. The person risks self-harm, safety of other inmate and officers. We also have what we call needs assessment, which is focused on criminogenic need areas.
“These are behaviours that may cause, criminal behavioural and other criminological needs. These are the things that we look into before an inmate is allocated cell.
“Furthermore, we also look at what we refer to as responsivity issues. There are things that can affect his participation in intervention or make it difficult for him to adjust to custodial life.
“So, having worked all this in, then it will be determined which cell such inmates will be allocated to,” he said.
According to Umar, during Bobrisky’s court appearance and subsequent admission to the facility, he was asked to declare his gender and he identified himself as male.
“But do not forget that there are some other features that are on him.
“So because of those determination, I mean, what I refer to as classification and also determination of security of the custodial centre, he was given an appropriate cell where he was kept.
“This is to also ensure that he is not under threat within our custodial centre and he is kept safe also.
“Well, one thing I want to say here is that the Minister of Interior has set up a committee to investigate the said Bobrisky staying outside our custodial centre.
“So until the determination of such or the outcome of such investigations, I think we should let it rest.
“I am only telling you that once an inmate or people are convicted, or are brought to our custodial centres, we have a standard of treatment to them during admission.
“They will be put through checks and these checks guide us on determination of security of such person both to the person and to the custodial centre.
“But as to whether he was kept in our custodial facilities or he was kept outside the facility, until the determination of the outcome of the investigation on the allegations, I won’t be able to speak further on that,” he maintained.