Inmates’ Rights Activist Reveals Possible Reason Behind Bobrisky’s Accommodation Outside Prison Walls
The Nigerian Correctional Service has been embroiled in a controversy surrounding the accommodation of convicted cross-dresser, Idris Okuneye, aka Bobrisky, who was sentenced to six months in prison. According to a Director General of the Prison Rehabilitation Mission, Bishop Kayode Williams, Bobrisky’s unusual appearance and gender identity may have led to his special arrangement outside the designated custodial centre.
Speaking on a breakfast show on Arise Television, Williams stated that the fact that Bobrisky is a man with a feminine appearance required a unique arrangement for his accommodation. He explained that the prison authorities may have provided him with a special place for protective custody to prevent potential harm from other inmates.
Williams’ position was corroborated by a former National Public Relations Officer of the Correctional Service, Francis Enobore (retd), who also emphasized the need for caution in handling Bobrisky’s case. “Some of the people behind bars are unrepentant homosexuals,” Enobore said. “There is no doubt that if care was not taken, we would have a very serious security situation on our hands.”
The Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has vowed to punish any official found wanting in the matter. Speaking at a media parley in Abuja, Tunji-Ojo assured that an investigation into the incident would be carried out without prejudice or bias. “We will not spare anybody no matter how highly placed,” he stressed. “Let’s be patient. Investigation is on but let’s be assured that nobody will be shielded and nobody will be protected.”
The Minister expressed confidence in the ability of an investigative panel headed by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr Magdalene Ajani, to discharge its mandate creditably. The committee members were carefully selected from various backgrounds, including the civil society community.
The Federal Government has already suspended two top officials of the Correctional Service in connection with the matter. The suspended officials are Michael Anugwa, Deputy Controller of Corrections (DCC), in charge of the Medium Security Custodial Centre (MSCC) in Kirikiri, Lagos State, and Sikiru Adekunle, Deputy Controller of Corrections (DCC), in charge of the maximum Security Custodial Centre (MSCC) in Kirikiri, Lagos State.
As the investigation continues, it remains to be seen whether Bobrisky’s special arrangement was justified or whether there was any abuse of power or privilege involved.
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