By Victoria Onehi
An investigative panel set up by the Federal Government has disclosed that controversial crossdresser, Idris Okuneye, also known as Bobrisky, served his six-month jail term following his conviction over Naira abuse offences in the kirikiri Custodial Centre, Lagos.
The Secretary of the Independent Investigation Panel of the Alleged Corruption, Abuse of Power, Torture, Cruel, Inhumane and Degrading Treatment Against the Nigeria Correctional Service Dr Uju Agomoh, disclosed this while submitting the panel report to the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo in Abuja today,Monday.
The panel, however, noted that Bobrisky was granted certain privileges during his time at the Kirikiri Medium Security Custodial Centre in Lagos.
The panel, chaired by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Interior, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, also found no evidence to support claims that the crossdresser bribed officials of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCos) to be allowed to stay in a rented apartment outside the prison.
“The panel did not find any evidence thus far that suggested Mr. Okuneye slept outside the custodial center during the period of his imprisonment,” Agomoh said.
She clarified that Bobrisky served his six-month correctional sentence with the usual remission applicable to such cases.
It will be recalled that Bobrisky was released from prison on August 5 after serving out his six-month jail term, following his sentencing on April 12 for violating laws regarding the abuse of the Naira notes.
The Minister of Interior while receiving the panel report thanked the committee for the sleepless nights spent in coming up with the report.
He said,” This committee was set up 3 weeks ago and we promised the report will be ready in two weeks.And we said we will make it public because we have nothing to hide. It’s about reform and cleaning the process and making sure we build strong institutions.
” The Nigeria Correctional Service is a key institution in our system, therefore any form of corruption,abuse of power, torture will not be accepted. We must be able to reform the service and create a service that will work for the people of Nigeria.” the Minister said.
