A Nigerian investigative panel has dismissed claims that transgender socialite Bobrisky, sentenced to six months in prison for currency abuse, lived in an apartment outside prison and did not serve her full sentence.
However, the panel confirmed she was granted certain privileges during her time in custody.
According to the report, Bobrisky, born Idris Okuneye, was allowed frequent visits from family and friends, had a private, furnished cell equipped with a humidifier, television, fridge, and even access to a phone.
She was sent to a male prison for “naira abuse” after she was seen throwing banknotes at a film premiere in April.
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The court cleared her of money laundering charges.
Okuneye Idris Olanrewaju, popularly known as Bobrisky
The Ministry of Interior set up the panel to investigate allegations of bribery made by social media influencer Martins Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan, who claimed officials were bribed to drop the money laundering charges, which Bobrisky has denied.
Last month, two senior prison officials were suspended due to the allegations.
The panel stated that further investigations were needed to determine if the privileges Bobrisky received were the result of bribery or corruption by correctional officers.
Nigerian transgender Queen, Bobrisky
The act of “spraying” cash, where banknotes are thrown into the air during celebrations, is common at Nigerian weddings and other events. While it is technically illegal, prosecutions are rare, with a maximum punishment of six months in prison.
Following Bobrisky’s release in August, a viral video surfaced in which a voice, alleged to be Bobrisky’s, claimed she paid $9,000 to EFCC officials to have the money laundering charges dismissed. This led to the investigation. It was also alleged that she paid millions of naira to secure an apartment near the prison where she purportedly served her sentence, a claim Bobrisky has denied, along with the allegation that it was her voice in the recordings.
