The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has confirmed an ongoing investigation into allegations surrounding convicted crossdresser, Idris Okuneye, also known as Bobrisky’s accommodation, with findings pending.
Abubakar Umar, the Deputy Controller of Corrections (DCC) Service Public Relations Officer (SPRO) in an interview on Sunday, October 6, 2024, highlighted the service’s commitment to rehabilitation and safety through its comprehensive inmate admission process.
Mr Okuneye was convicted for mutilating the naira in April 2024, and was sentenced to six months in jail.
Also, Vincent Otse, a social media influencer and human rights activist known as VeryDarkMan (VDM) published an audio recording which captured Mr Okuneye allegedly saying that he spent his jail term in a private apartment.
The audio also captured the crossdresser allegedly saying that he paid N15 million to Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) officials to drop charges of money laundering against him.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government, On Monday, September 30, 2024, inaugurated an independent investigative panel to prove allegations of corruption and gross violations of standard operating procedures within the NCoS.
The Minister Of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who inaugurated the committee said that the committee must also look at the recent allegations that some correctional service personnel had provided alternative accommodation for Mr Okuneye.
Mr 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.
Mr 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 the 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 an admission board, which comprises the officer in charge, the second in command, the medical officer in charge of the custodial centre, the record officer and other relevant officers.
“They will go through the information contained therein in the warrants, also, before he will be allocated a cell, there is what we call, determination of security.
“Determination of security refers to one’s risk assessment. The person risks self-harm and the safety of other inmates 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 a cell.
“Furthermore, we also look at what we refer to as responsibility 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 maintained.
According to Mr Umar, during Mr Okuneye’s court appearance and subsequent admission to our 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 this 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 centers and he is kept safe.
“Well, one thing I want to say here is that, the Minister of Interior, has set up a committee to investigate the said alleged 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 for them during admission.
“They will be put through checks and these checks guide us on the determination of security of such a 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.
