Tag: Bobrisky

The Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo on Monday said he would not defend the reputation of the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) over allegations levelled against it on the matter regarding a cross dresser, Idris Okuneye, also known as Bobrisky. 

Tunji-Ojo, who said the matter regarding the popular cross dresser was about reputation management and ethical conducts of para- military agencies under his watch, warned that he would not defend the agencies if they erred while carrying out their responsibilities. 

A panel established by the Federal Government few days ago declared that there was no evidence that Bobrisky did not spend his six-month jail term in prison as alleged. 

While the panel dismissed the allegations, it however admitted that Bobrisky enjoyed some privileges in the NCoS facilities while serving his term. The panel described the development as unethical and unacceptable. 

Speaking at the opening ceremony of a two-day Performance Contract Signing Retreat organised for senior officials of the Ministry and the para-military institutions under it, the Minister said the para-military agencies should step up their games on internal security for peace and national growth. 

The Retreat had the theme:” United front for a secure nation and future” with all the para-military services such as the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, (NSCDC), the Nigeria Immigration Service, (NIS) the Nigeria Correctional Service, (NCoS) and the Federal Fire Service, (FFS) participating. 

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Tunji-Ojo said the NCoS in particular should be seen as transformative and reformative towards inmates, while rehabilitation of inmates should be prioritised with respect for human rights and citizen’s dignity. 

The Minister said: “The critical role that the federal ministry of interior has to play in the aspect of our internal security is very key.

“Every little effort from each and everyone of you is important because without security you can’t talk about investment, without security you can’t talk about tourism, and industrialization.

“Without security, you can’t talk about stabilization of the capital or money market or even employment. So it means that there is no productivity without security.”

Tunji-Ojo said it had become imperative for personnel and staff of the ministry to ensure they align their priorities with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu by managing their reputation effectively.

He said the paramilitary agencies have critical roles to play in the security architecture of the country, and therefore urged them to be bold and ambitious in their plans. 

“You all have a critical role to play in the national security architecture, therefore, this is the time to be very bold, to be very audacious but tenacious if we must take Nigeria to the next level.

“The Nigerian Correctional Service has to be a place where hopes are of hopes renewed and not a place where hopes are truncated and respect for human rights jettisoned. We must treat people with dignity, this is very key, ” the Minister asserted. 

Tunji-Ojo further noted the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) had its functions well cut out with recent reforms in the Service, stating that more grounds have been covered regarding passports and border security.

The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, said the retreat is an opportunity for staff and agencies in the ministry to “renew our shared sense of duty and commitment to the core mandate of the government. 

According to her, staff and personnel of the Ministry should rededicate themselves to fostering an environment where every Nigerian can feel safe, protected and empowered.

“Today’s gathering is more than a contract Signing ceremony, it is a covenant of accountability and a promise to deliver on Mr. President’s renewed hope agenda, ” Dr Ajani said.

The fate of popular cross dresser, Idris Okuneye, known also as Bobrisky remained unknown since he was arrested by authorities of the Nigeria Immigration Service, (NIS) at Seme Border on Monday. 

According to the Public Relations Officer of NIS, Deputy Controller of Immigration, Kenneth Udo, Bobrisky was arrested as “a person of interest” by the Immigration Service. 

However, since his arrest on Monday, his fate remained unknown. The NIS said on Monday that he was undergoing interrogation. 

The Nation could not confirm from the Service headquarters if Idris Okuneye would be taken to court or freed immediately his health becomes stable. 

A source within the Service, who would not want to be named, said Okuneye was taken to an undisclosed hospital for treatment due to rising body temperature.

The source said Okuneye developed some symptoms which necessitated his being taken to hospital for treatment. 

Read Also: NIS arrests ‘fleeing’ Bobrisky

The Nation could not confirm from DCI Udo the health status of Bobrisky as of the time of filing this report. The NIS spokesman didn’t respond to text messages and calls. 

A panel established by the Federal Government to probe allegations that Bobrisky did not spend his six months jail term in prison submitted its reports to the Minister of Interior Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo on Monday. 

The panel headed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr Magdalene Ajani, said it did not find evidence that Bobrisky did not spend his term inside the prison. 

While dismissing the allegation, the panel affirmed that Bobrisky enjoyed some privileges while serving his term.

Bobrisky was later arrested by the NIS officials at Seme Border for attempting to flee the country. He has since remained in the custody of the Immigration Service. 

More details have emerged on how popular cross dresser, Idris Okuneye, also known as Bobrisky, was arrested at Seme Border on Monday.

Witnesses told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that Bobrisky arrived at the departure axis of the border post around 1.30 a.m. on Monday in a black SUV Mercedes Benz.

According to the sources, Bobrisky was first stopped by Port Health officials on duty but the driver didn’t stop until he got to Immigration check-point.

“Idris handed over his passport to the driver for stamping at the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) post.

“The immigration surveillance officer, identified as Yusuf, while going through the passport, detected that the person inside the vehicle was Bobrisky.

“He called the most senior officer on duty to the scene, and they secretly invited the Controller of Immigration, Seme Command, Mr Muhammad Adamu.

“The surveillance officer then went back to invite Bobrisky for capturing in order to stamp the passport.

“On getting to the surveillance unit for capturing, he was taken to the controller’s office for questioning,” a source told NAN.

Another source told NAN that Bobrisky’s lawyer later came to Seme to inquire why he was arrested by the personnel of the immigration command.

“Bobrisky stayed inside the controller’s office until 4.00 p.m, when he was taken to Lagos State Command of NIS for further investigation,” the source said.

Read Also: NIS arrests ‘fleeing’ Bobrisky

NAN recalls that NIS on Monday confirmed arrest of Bobrisky at the Seme Border.

The Public Relations Officer of the Service, Mr Kenneth Udo, said Bobrisky was arrested because he “is a person of interest over recent issues of public concern”.

Udo, in a statement issued in Abuja, said: “In keeping with its commitment to securing the borders, NIS intercepted Bobrisky at the Seme Border over an attempt to exit the country.

He said that Bobrisky was undergoing interrogation and would be handed over to the appropriate authorities for further action.

(NAN)

• Panel clears cross-dresser of serving jail term outside prison

The Nigeria Immigration Service has confirmed the arrest of Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky at the Seme Border yesterday.

The Public Relations Officer of the Service, Kenneth Udo, said Bobrisky was arrested because he is “a person of interest over recent issues of public concern.”

Udo in a statement issued in Abuja, said: “In keeping with its commitment to securing the borders, Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) intercepted Okuneye Idris Olanrewaju otherwise known as Bobrisky at the Seme Border over an attempt to exit the country. He is undergoing interrogation 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 statutory responsibility of manning the Country’s Borders.”

Meanwhile, the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, said government will act on the submitted report of the investigative panel on Bobrisky.

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The panels headed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr Magdalene Ajani also had Dr Uju Agomoh, the Executive Director and founder of Prisoners Rehabilitation and Welfare Action (PRAWA) as its Secretary.

Agomoh who submitted the summary of a 109-page report to the Minister yesterday, dismissed the allegation that Bobrisky spend his terms outside the prison facility.

The panel however confirmed that Bobrisky and Abdulrasheed Maina enjoyed some privileged treatments from prison officials. The panel took exceptions to such and recommended appropriate disciplinary actions against officials responsible.

Dr Tunji-Ojo, however, said the panel’s reports would not be swept under the carpet as erring officials of the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS), would be made to face the full wrath of the law.

The minister said: “Let me assure you that any officer (s) found wanting, according to the report will go through the necessary disciplinary process of the Board. We will make sure their actions are meted with appropriate sanctions that the law demands.

“We will release the reports to Nigerians. The era where you erred and there is no repercussion, that era is gone. To every action, there must be a reaction. Once you erred or you deliberately violated the law, then there must be repercussions. “

The panel, which was set up by the Minister three weeks ago, had the responsibility of investigating allegations that Bobrisky did not spend his time in prison but paid some officials of the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) to evade spending his term behind their facility.

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has confirmed the arrest of Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky at the Seme Border in the early hours of Monday. 

The public relations officer of the Service, Kenneth Udo, said Bobrisky was arrested because he is “a person of interest over recent issues of public concern “

 Udo said in a statement in Abuja: “In keeping with its commitment to securing the borders, Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) intercepted Okuneye Idris Olanrewaju otherwise known as Bobrisky at the Seme Border over an attempt to exit the country.

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“The Service wishes to inform the public that OKUNEYE IDRIS is a person of interest over recent issues of public concern. 

“He is undergoing interrogation 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 statutory responsibility of manning the Country’s Borders.”

The investigative panel set up to probe the allegations that convicted cross-dresser Idris Okuneye aka Bobrisky, was kept out of the custodial centre while serving his six-month prison sentence, has submitted its report, dismissing the claims.

Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo on September 30, ordered a probe after VeryDarkMan, an activist, shared a video in which Bobrisky purportedly claimed that she bribed some Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) officials to drop the money laundering charge against her.

The panels headed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr Magdalene Ajani also had Dr Uju Agomoh, the Executive Director and founder of Prisoners Rehabilitation and Welfare Action (PRAWA) as its Secretary.

Agomoh submitted the summary of a 109-page report to the Minister on Monday.

Here are five key findings from the investigative panel report:

1. The panel did not find any evidence that suggested that Mr Okuneye slept outside the custodial centre during the period of his imprisonment from 12th April 2024 to 5th August 2024 with the usual remission applicable.

2. Bobrisky was transferred from the Kuje Custodial Centre to the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Kirikiri-Apapa, Lagos, and then to the Maximum Security Custodial Centre, from where he was discharged after the completion of his sentence.

3. The panel also found that Mr. Okuneye Idris enjoyed several privileges while in custody, both at the Medium Security and the Maximum Security Custodial Centres, which include, especially the following: furnished single cells, humidifier, lots of visits by his family members and friends as he desired, self-feeding, designated inmates to run errands for him, access to fridge and television, and possibly access to his phone.

Read Also: BREAKING: Bobrisky served term in prison, enjoyed privileges-Investigative panel

4. The panel will further investigate if the above privileges provided for Bobrisky were financially motivated and based on corrupt practices by correctional officers.

5. The panel believes that the peculiar case of the inmates and the inmates’ physical look and behaviour pose a threat, and the lack of laid-down rules for the treatment of such a case may have necessitated such privileges to be granted to Okunenye Idris rather than financial motivation.

The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, promised not to bury the full report submitted by the investigative panel on bribery allegations involving the controversial cross-dresser.