More details have emerged on how popular crossdresser Idris Okuneye aka Bobrisky was arrested at the Seme border on Monday.
Witnesses told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that Bobrisky arrived at the exit shaft of the border post around 1.30am on Monday in a black Mercedes Benz SUV.
According to sources, Bobrisky was first stopped by port health officials on duty, but the driver did not stop until he reached the immigration checkpoint.
“Idris handed his passport to the driver for stamping at the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) post.
“The immigration surveillance officer, identified as Yusuf, upon checking the passport detected that the person inside the vehicle was Bobrisky.
“They called the most senior officer on duty to the scene and secretly invited the Comptroller of Immigration, Seme Command, Muhammad Adamu.
“The surveillance officer then returned to invite Bobrisky to capture him and stamp his passport.
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“Upon reaching the surveillance unit to capture him, he was taken to the controller’s office for interrogation,” a source told NAN.
Another source told NAN that Bobrisky's lawyer later came to Seme to ask why he was arrested by immigration command personnel.
“Bobrisky remained inside the controller's office until 4:00 pm, when he was taken to the NIS Lagos State Command for further investigation,” the source said.
Images of Bobrisky, 33, previously emerged while he was in the custody of border officials.
NAN recalls that the NIS confirmed the arrest of Bobrisky at the Seme border on Monday.
The service's public relations officer, Kenneth Udo, said Bobrisky was arrested because “he is a person of interest in recent issues of public interest.”
Udo, in a statement issued in Abuja, said: “In line with its commitment to secure the borders, the NIS intercepted Bobrisky at the Seme border for an attempt to leave the country.”
Idris Okuneye aka Bobrisky Interrogation
The statement also revealed that the controversial 33-year-old figure is currently being questioned and is considered a person of interest due to his connection to several high-profile public matters.
Udo confirmed that Bobrisky is being held for further questioning and will be handed over to the appropriate authorities for further investigation.
“The Service wishes to inform the public that Okuneye Idris is a person of interest in recent matters of public interest.
“He is being questioned and will be handed over to the appropriate authorities for further action. “The Service assures the public that it will continue to be civil and professional in its legal responsibility to manage the country’s borders,” the statement read.
Bobrisky hands over the passport
A source at the Nigeria-Benin Republic border earlier confirmed to PREMIUM TIMES that Bobrisky was intercepted overnight and transported to Lagos the next morning.
The source further revealed that Bobrisky had handed over his passport to someone in an attempt to discreetly leave Nigeria.
However, immigration officials immediately recognized his name and ordered him out of the vehicle for questioning, the source revealed.
FG panel investigations
In April, Bobrisky was found guilty of naira mutilation and sentenced to six months in prison. However, there have been persistent rumors that Bobrisky received special privileges while serving his sentence, including staying outside of prison, in luxury accommodations.
On Monday, a federal investigative panel set up by the Minister of Home Affairs, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, submitted a report addressing these allegations. The report determined that there is no evidence to suggest that Idris Okuneye, also known as Bobrisky, resided outside of the Correctional Services Center during his six-month incarceration. The findings of the panel were presented to the minister by Magdalene Ajani, who highlighted several issues within the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCos).
The panel's report also indicated that Bobrisky received numerous privileges while in custody, including access to a furnished single cell, family visits in restricted areas and even self-feeding arrangements. Ajani noted: “He enjoyed privileges that may have been financially induced by corrupt practices among prison officials.”
Further investigation revealed that the decision to transfer Bobrisky from Ikoyi Detention Center to the Medium Maximum Center was taken by Ben Freeman, the then Controller of the Lagos Command of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCos).
According to the report, the state comptroller has the legal authority to transfer inmates within the same state, the transfer initially lacked proper documentation and was later retroactive, violating Sections 168 and 169 of the NCoS standing order and Section 16 4( a)(b). ) of the NCos Act 2019. The panel chair suggested that future provisions should consider the unique circumstances of cases like Bobrisky's.
Background
Bobrisky's arrest comes amid ongoing investigations and controversies surrounding his legal battles. The internet celebrity's recent allegations stem from claims that he paid N15 million to avoid money laundering charges by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The allegations first gained traction after social media influencer Martins Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), leaked an audio recording in which Bobrisky allegedly admitted to the payment.
The transvestite, however, denied these claims, stating that the audio was manipulated and mentioning that high-profile figures, including human rights activist Femi Falana and his son, Singer Falz, attempted to obtain a “presidential pardon” during his time under custody. .
READ ALSO: Bobrisky enjoyed special privileges, but there is no evidence he was kept out of prison – Report
While he was serving his sentence at Kirikiri Correctional Centre, there were claims that he did not spend his time under the usual conditions and instead had access to a private apartment, allegedly provided by an “influential godfather”.
Apart from the bribery allegations, Bobrisky is being investigated by a committee of the House of Representatives, the EFCC and the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS). He was summoned for questioning following the VDM revelations, but did not appear for health reasons.
(YAYA)