Prison experts have provided insights into the circumstances surrounding the separation of controversial crossdresser Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, from other inmates at the correctional center, firmly denying claims of a VIP section.
This clarification comes amid significant public interest and scrutiny regarding Bobrisky’s treatment following his conviction for abusing naira notes and money laundering.
Speaking on Arise TV’s The Morning Show on Friday, Bishop Kayode Williams, the Director General of the Prison Rehabilitation Mission, elaborated on the different accommodations available for inmates based on their classifications.
“There are accommodations for condemned prisoners, those sentenced to death, who must not mingle with other inmates,” he explained. “The second accommodation is for convicted inmates, who are the owners of the prison.”
Regarding Bobrisky’s specific situation, Williams stated, “The accommodation that is provided for males, are they going to bring Idris with his transgender body/look to go and sleep in the general cell? The first thing they do is decide how to treat someone like that.”
He emphasized the importance of protective custody for individuals like Bobrisky, who may face unique threats due to their gender identity. “With his appearance, he would be in danger. He looks like a woman, moves like a woman, and there are homosexual inmates who would be willing to take things to extreme lengths,” Williams cautioned, underscoring the potential risks involved.
Francis Enobore, former National PRO of the Nigerian Correctional Service, corroborated Williams’ statements, noting the meticulous profiling of inmates for both their safety and the general security of the prison environment. “
Yes, he confessed in court that he is a man, but he came in bodily showing that he is a woman,” Enobore remarked.
“Some of the people behind bars are unrepentant homosexuals. There is no doubt that if care is not taken, we will have a very serious security situation on our hands.”
This acknowledgment of the complexities involved in managing a diverse inmate population further illustrates the challenges faced by correctional facilities.
Despite the clarity regarding Bobrisky’s accommodations, Enobore refuted claims that he was afforded any special treatment, stating, “There’s no such thing as a private apartment or anything special in the prison.”
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This denial comes after recent allegations that Bobrisky had been arranged to serve his six-month sentence in a private apartment following his conviction for abusing naira notes in April, a case that has attracted considerable media attention.
The controversy escalated earlier in the week when Martins Otse, known as VeryDarkMan, released a voice note in which Bobrisky purportedly claimed that his godfather and the Controller General of the Nigerian Correctional Service had intervened to facilitate this arrangement. This revelation raised questions about corruption within the prison system and the influence of powerful individuals.
In response to the growing scrutiny, the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board announced the suspension of two deputy controllers overseeing the Kirikiri Medium Custodial Centre in Lagos.
Their suspension is reportedly linked to the ongoing bribery claims associated with Bobrisky’s case, further underscoring the seriousness of the allegations and the potential implications for the integrity of the correctional system. As the situation unfolds, many are left wondering how it will impact both Bobrisky’s future and the broader issues of prison management in Nigeria.
