Controversial crossdresser, Idris Okuneye, better known as Bobrisky, was placed in protective custody at a correctional facility to ensure his safety, prison experts clarified on Friday.
Speaking on Arise TV’s ‘The Morning Show’, Bishop Kayode Williams, Director General of the Prison Rehabilitation Mission, debunked rumors that Bobrisky was given VIP treatment but explained the rationale behind his separation from other inmates.
Williams highlighted the different accommodations provided for inmates based on their status, noting that Bobrisky’s appearance as a transgender individual posed unique safety concerns.
He stated, “There are accommodations for condemned prisoners, those sentenced to death, who must not mingle with other inmates. The second accommodation is for convicted inmates, who are the owners of the prison.”
He further elaborated on the special provisions made for Bobrisky. “The accommodation that is provided for males — are they going to bring Idris with his transgender body/look to sleep in the general cell? The first thing they do is decide how to treat someone like that,” Williams said.
“They provided him a special place for protective custody because, with his appearance, he would be in danger. He looks like a woman, moves like a woman, and there are homosexual inmates who would be willing to take things to extreme lengths.”
Former National Public Relations Officer of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Francis Enobore, echoed Williams’ sentiments. He confirmed that Bobrisky’s safety was the priority due to the inherent risks of placing him with the general prison population.
“Yes, he confessed in court that he is a man, but he came in bodily showing that he is a woman. Some of the people behind bars are unrepentant homosexuals. There is no doubt that if care is not taken, we will have a very serious security situation on our hands,” Enobore stated.
Despite the special arrangements made for Bobrisky’s safety, Enobore firmly denied allegations that the crossdresser was given a private section or any VIP accommodations. “There’s no such thing as a private apartment or anything special in the prison,” he clarified.
The controversy surrounding Bobrisky’s incarceration began earlier this week after Martins Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan, shared a voice note where Bobrisky allegedly claimed that his godfather and the Controller General of the Nigerian Correctional Service had arranged for him to serve his six-month sentence in a private apartment following his conviction for abuse of naira notes in April.
In response to the ongoing scandal, the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire, and Immigration Services Board announced the suspension of two deputy controllers in charge of the Kirikiri Medium Custodial Centre in Lagos, linked to the alleged bribery claims surrounding Bobrisky’s incarceration.
The incident has sparked widespread public interest, prompting clarification from prison officials regarding the treatment of high-profile inmates and dispelling rumors of preferential treatment.