By Ken Afor
The Nigerian Correctional Service in Lagos State has denied reports suggesting that the controversial cross-dresser, Idris Olanrewaju Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, is being held in a one-bedroom flat within the facility.
The service has also refuted claims that Bobrisky donated chairs to the correctional center.
Rotimi Oladokun, the spokesperson for the Lagos Command of the Nigerian Correctional Service, described the various reports as “mischievous and misleading online publications.”
Oladokun reiterated that Bobrisky, unlike other inmates, is undergoing reformative and rehabilitative programs before the completion of his six-month jail term.
He said: “The attention of the Nigerian Correctional Service Lagos State Command has been drawn to some mischievous and misleading online publications, Without prejudice to NCoS right to seek legal redress for the libellous publication
“The convicted inmate, Okuneye Idris Olanrewaju aka Bobrisky is currently serving a 6 months jail term for abuse and mutilation of the Naira note within the custody of the Custodial Centre in the State.
“The Convict is entitled to the reformative and rehabilitative platforms either educational and/or vocational training as provided to all inmates in custody.
“Idris has been allocated a shared cell with other convicted inmates. There are no en-suite or ‘one bedroom flat’ style cells in our Custodial Centre as the cell blocks infrastructure are built as shared buildings, to accommodate multiple inmates.
“The convict is remanded in a male Custodial Centre and observes all regulations and rules in place at the centre especially with regards to dress code. He wears male designated correctional clothing for convicted inmates.
“Idris is being treated just as every other inmate without any special amenities or privilege accorded. All inmates are entitled to Family and Legal visit. These visits are monitored and regulated by NCoS.
“The Controller of Corrections, Lagos Command enjoined the general public to disregard the said malicious publication”.
TheNewDiplomat reports that the court convicted Bobrisky on April 5, after pleading guilty to charges levelled against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for abusing the Naira currency.
In another similar case, a popular Instagram celebrity, Pascal Okechukwu, also known as Cubana Chief Priest, was slammed with a three-count charge by the EFCC for alleged violations related to the mishandling of the Nigerian currency, the Naira.
According to the charges, Cubana Chief Priest was accused of spraying and tampering with naira notes during a social event, which goes against the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Act of 2007.
In Count 1, it was alleged, “that you, Okechukwu Pascal on 13th Feb. 2024, at Eko Hotel, within the jurisdiction of the court, while dancing during a social event, tampered with funds in the denomination of N500 (Five Hundred Naira) issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria by spraying same for two hours, and you thereby committed an offence, contrary to and punishable under Section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act 2007”.
In count 2, it was alleged, “that you Okechukwu Pascal sometime in 2020, in Lagos during a social event, tampered with funds in the denomination of N500 (Five Hundred Naira) issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria by spraying same for two hours, and you thereby committed an offence, contrary to and punishable under Section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act 2007”.
In Count 3, it was alleged, “that you Okechukwu Pascal sometime in January 2024, in Lagos during a social event, tampered with funds in the denomination of N500 (Five Hundred Naira) issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria by spraying same and you thereby committed an offence, contrary to and punishable under Section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act 2007”.
However, Following his arraignment at the Federal High Court in Lagos, on Wednesday, April 17th, 2024, he was granted a N10 million bail with two sureties in like sum by Justice Kehinde Ogundare.
The matter was adjourned till May 2, 2024, for hearing of the preliminary objection by the defense.
