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An investigative panel appointed by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has confirmed that Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, received special privileges during his time at both the Medium and Maximum Security Custodial Centres in Nigeria. This was revealed on Monday in Abuja, during the reading of the phase one report by Uju Agomoh, a member of the panel and Executive Director of Prisoners’ Rehabilitation and Welfare Action (PRAWA).
The panel was set up following allegations by social critic Martins Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan, who had shared a voice note purportedly from Bobrisky, claiming that a “godfather” and staff of the Nigerian Correctional Service had facilitated his serving the six-month sentence in a private apartment rather than in a standard prison cell.
According to Agomoh, Bobrisky enjoyed numerous privileges while in custody, which included staying in furnished single cells, having a humidifier, receiving regular visits from family and friends, and being allowed access to a fridge and television. He was also reportedly allowed to self-feed and had designated inmates run errands for him, with possible access to his phone.
Agomoh said, “The panel found that Mr. Okuneye Idris enjoyed several privileges while in custody, which include furnished single cells, humidifier, lots of visits by his family members and friends, self-feeding, designated inmates to run errands for him, access to a fridge and television, and possibly access to his phone.”
The panel expressed concern about the motivation behind these privileges, indicating that further investigation is needed to determine whether these were financially motivated or due to corrupt practices within the Nigerian Correctional Service.
Additionally, Agomoh highlighted that Bobrisky’s transfer to a maximum security facility, despite being a first offender, violated Sections 164A and 164B of the Nigerian Correctional Service Act of 2019.
The panel, chaired by Magdalena Ajani, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, was tasked with probing the alleged corruption and other violations within the Nigerian Correctional Service, in response to public outcry and ongoing concerns regarding the treatment of inmates.
