Prison Experts Explain Bobrisky’s Separation From Other Inmates
Prison experts have clarified the reasons behind the separation of Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, from other inmates at the correctional center, amidst controversy surrounding his incarceration. Speaking on Arise TV’s The Morning Show on Friday, Bishop Kayode Williams, Director General of the Prison Rehabilitation Mission, provided insight into how accommodations are organized within Nigerian prisons. He debunked claims that Bobrisky was placed in a VIP section while explaining that specific measures were taken for his protection.
Williams explained that correctional centers have different categories of accommodations, with condemned prisoners, those sentenced to death, and convicted inmates being kept separately based on the nature of their crimes and status. In Bobrisky’s case, Williams clarified, “The accommodation that is provided for males, are they going to bring Idris with his transgender body/look to go and sleep in the general cell? The first thing they do is decide how to treat someone like that.”
He noted that placing Bobrisky in a general cell could put him at risk due to his appearance. “He looks like a woman, moves like a woman, and there are homosexual inmates who would be willing to take things to extreme lengths,” Williams explained. As a result, Bobrisky was provided with a special accommodation for protective custody to ensure his safety.
Francis Enobore, former National PRO of the Nigerian Correctional Service, supported Williams’ statement, highlighting the need for profiling each inmate upon arrival to maintain both their safety and the overall security of the prison. Enobore remarked that Bobrisky, despite admitting in court that he is a man, presented physically in a way that could create a security risk. “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,” he added.
However, Enobore refuted claims that Bobrisky was given a private section or any special treatment, stating, “There’s no such thing as a private apartment or anything special in the prison.”
The controversy surrounding Bobrisky’s incarceration surfaced after a voice note was shared by activist Martins Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan. In the note, Bobrisky allegedly claimed that following his conviction for the abuse of naira notes in April, his godfather and the Controller General of the Nigerian Correctional Service arranged for him to serve his six-month sentence in a private section of the prison.
In response to these allegations, 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. The suspensions are connected to the bribery claims linked to Bobrisky’s case, further fueling the ongoing controversy.
