The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) announced on Monday that social media personality Okuneye Idris, popularly known as Bobrisky, has been named a person of interest in an ongoing probe. NIS officers intercepted Bobrisky at the Seme border earlier in the day as he allegedly attempted to flee the country.
The controversy surrounding Bobrisky’s case dates back to April 2024, when he was sentenced to six months in prison for naira abuse by the Federal High Court in Lagos. Initially held at Kirikiri Prison, reports later surfaced that Bobrisky was discreetly moved to a private location after just three weeks, sparking allegations of bribery and preferential treatment involving a N15 million payment to prison officials.
The situation escalated in September after an audio recording, allegedly featuring Bobrisky, was leaked by social media influencer VeryDarkMan (VDM). In the recording, Bobrisky reportedly claimed that Falz and his father, human rights lawyer Femi Falana, approached him for N10 million to secure a presidential pardon during his imprisonment. The Falanas responded with a cease-and-desist letter on October 16, 2024, demanding a public apology for the defamatory statements.
Bobrisky denied the accusations, stating that he was not responsible for the leaked content and asked the Falanas to hold VDM accountable instead.
In a statement signed by NIS Public Relations Officer Mr. Kenneth Udo, the Service confirmed that Bobrisky is currently undergoing interrogation and will be handed over to the appropriate authorities for further action. The NIS reaffirmed its commitment to securing the country’s borders while maintaining professionalism in its operations.
This development follows the findings of an investigative panel set up by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, to examine the alleged corruption and violations related to Bobrisky’s detention. According to Uju Agomoh, a panel member and Executive Director of Prisoners’ Rehabilitation and Welfare Action, there was no evidence that Bobrisky spent time outside the prison walls during his six-month sentence, which ended in August 2024. However, the panel confirmed that Bobrisky enjoyed several privileges while incarcerated, including a furnished single cell, a humidifier, self-feeding, and regular visits from family and friends.
The panel has recommended further investigation into the financial motivations behind these privileges, with a call for clear guidelines to prevent discriminatory practices in the future.
Additionally, the panel verified an allegation that the Deputy Controller of Corrections at Kuje Custodial Centre, Kelvin Iloafonsi Ikechukwu, received money into his personal account from Abdulrasheed Maina’s son for health and welfare purposes. The panel deemed Ikechukwu’s actions unethical and a violation of institutional regulations.
As Bobrisky faces interrogation and further investigation, the situation remains tense as more revelations about the conduct of correctional officers and systemic corruption come to light.
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