By Ibironke Ariyo
The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has confirmed an ongoing investigation into allegations surrounding convicted cross dresser, Idris Okuneye, also known as Bobrisky’s accommodation, with findings pending.
Abubakar Umar, Deputy Controller of Correctionals (DCC) Service Public Relations Officer (SPRO), disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja.
Umar also highlighted the service’s commitment to rehabilitation and safety through its comprehensive prisoner intake process.
NAN recalls that Bobrisky was found guilty of Naira mutilation in April and sentenced to six months in prison.
NAN also reports that social media influencer and human rights activist Vincent Otse, known as Very Dark Man (VDM), released an audio recording in which Bobrisky allegedly said he served his sentence at a private residence.
The audio also recorded Bobrisky saying he paid N15 million to officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to drop money laundering charges against him.
Meanwhile, on Monday 30 September, the Federal Government established an independent investigative panel to investigate allegations of corruption and serious breaches of standard operating procedures within the NCoS.
The Minister of the Interior Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who inaugurated the committee, said the committee should also look into recent allegations that some correctional service officials provided alternative accommodation to Bobrisky.
However, Umar explained that detainees undergo extensive screening to identify security risks, needs and responsiveness issues when they are transferred to detention centers.
According to him, the admissions committee evaluates each inmate to ensure safe accommodation and effective rehabilitation.
Umar, who described the service’s rigorous process for receiving detainees, added that respect for human rights principles was also fundamental to this approach.
“Now, after the court sentences each offender, whether they are awaiting trial or have already been convicted, once they enter our facility, they go through a process before and during admission.
“Let me tell you that upon admission there is a so-called admission committee, which includes the person in charge, the deputy, the doctor in charge of the detention center, the registration officer and other officials involved.
“You will review the order information. Before receiving a cell, a so-called safety determination takes place.
“Determining safety refers to risk assessment. There is a risk of the person being injured and putting the safety of other prisoners and officers at risk. We also carry out what we call a needs assessment, which focuses on areas of criminogenic need.
“These are behaviors that can create criminological behavioral needs and other criminological needs.”
“In addition, we also look at what we call responsiveness issues. There are things that can affect your participation in the intervention or make it difficult for you to adjust to life in prison.
“After all of this is processed, it will be determined which cell these prisoners will be assigned to,” he said.
According to Umar, upon his court appearance and subsequent entry into our facility, Bobrisky was asked to declare his gender and identify himself as male. However, keep in mind that he has other features.
“Based on these rules, that is, what I call classification, as well as the security rules of the detention center, you were assigned an appropriate cell in which you were detained.
“This is also to ensure that you are not exposed to any danger in our detention centers and that you are also safe.
“Well, one thing I would like to say here is that the Minister of Home Affairs has set up a committee to investigate the suspect Bobrisky who has been outside our detention centre.
“Until those investigations are completed or until their outcome, I think we should put this aside.
“I am simply telling you that once a prisoner or individuals are sentenced or brought into our prisons, we apply a standard of care in their admission.
“They will be screened and those screens will help us determine the safety of that individual, both for the person and the detention centre.”
“But I cannot say further whether he has been detained in our detention centre or outside the detention centre pending the completion of the investigation into the allegations,” he said.
