Nigeria’s Commission of Inquiry has investigated allegations that Bobrisky, a transgender socialite who was sentenced to six months in prison for misusing Nigerian currency, lived in an apartment outside the prison and did not complete his full sentence. he rejected, but acknowledged that she had received other special privileges.
Bobrisky, whose real name is Idris Okuneye, said he was allowed frequent visits from family and friends and had a furnished cell, a humidifier, a TV, a refrigerator and even a telephone.
She was sent to a men’s prison in April on charges of "naira abuse” after throwing banknotes at a movie premiere.
The court dismissed the money laundering charges.
The commission was set up by the Ministry of Interior to investigate allegations of bribery by Martins Otse, a social media influencer popularly known as Very Dark Man, and said officials wanted to drop money laundering charges against Bobrisky. Bobrisky denied accepting bribes.
Last month, two senior prison officials were suspended on this charge.
A committee set up by the Interior Ministry will carry out further investigations to establish whether the privileges granted to Bobrisky were “based on financial motives and corrupt practices by prison officials.” He said it was necessary to do so.
The commission added that sending Bobrisky, a first-time offender, to a maximum security facility was a violation of the Nigeria Correctional Act.
Throwing money into the air, or “spraying,” is a common practice during weddings and other celebrations in Nigeria.
This is technically a violation because the banknote falls to the ground and you can step on it. The maximum penalty is six months in prison, but until this year, prosecutions had been rare.
After her release in August, a video of a person identified as Bobrisky claiming to have paid $9,000 (£7,000) to an EFCC official to have money laundering charges dropped went viral, leading to an investigation. It has begun.
It is also alleged that she paid millions of naira to rent an apartment near the prison where she is said to have served her sentence.
Bobrisky, who has nearly 5 million followers on Instagram, denied that the recorded voice was his own.
