The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has confirmed arresting the controversial crossdresser, Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, at the Seme border, while he was attempting to flee the country.
The NIS confirmed the arrest in a statement released on Monday night by its spokesman, DCI KT Udo.
The statement revealed that Bobrisky is a “person of interest” due to recent issues of public concern, and is currently being interrogated and will be handed over to the appropriate authorities for further investigation.
“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,” Udo stated.
Bobrisky’s arrest comes amid ongoing controversy sparked by accusations from popular blogger Martins Otse, known as VeryDarkMan, who claimed that some officers of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) received ₦15 million from Bobrisky to drop money laundering charges against him earlier this year.
These accusations followed Bobrisky’s six-month imprisonment for money laundering, a sentence from which he was released in August.
The blogger also alleged that Bobrisky paid millions of naira to secure preferential treatment during his prison term.
While Bobrisky has denied all allegations, the EFCC, the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), and the House of Representatives have all launched probes into the claims.
In response to these allegations, the Federal Government suspended several NCoS senior officers, and the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, established a committee to investigate the matter.
The panel submitted its report on Monday, confirming that while Bobrisky served his jail term, he received numerous privileges, including access to television and a fridge during his time in prison.
This latest arrest marks a new chapter in Bobrisky’s legal battles as investigations continue.