Nigerian Prison experts have stepped forward to clarify the controversial circumstances surrounding Idris Okuneye, famously known as Bobrisky, and his separation from other inmates at the correctional facility, while firmly denying rumors of a VIP section designed just for him.
The drama kicked off earlier this week when Martins Otse, better known as VeryDarkMan, released a voice note claiming that Bobrisky, following his conviction for the misuse of naira notes in April, allegedly revealed that his godfather, alongside the Controller General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, orchestrated a deal for him to serve his six-month sentence in a private apartment, far removed from the typical prison environment.
In a recent appearance on Arise TV’s The Morning Show, gathered by PUNCH, the Director General of the Prison Rehabilitation Mission, Bishop Kayode Williams, provided insight into the treatment of inmates, outlining how accommodations vary based on the nature of the offenses and the security risks presented by each individual.
Williams elaborated that while Bobrisky’s situation is unique, it is not indicative of preferential treatment. Instead, he emphasized that all inmates are categorized according to specific criteria, which dictates their housing arrangements within the correctional system.
He said, “There are accommodations for condemned prisoners, those sentenced to death, who must not mingle with other inmates. The second accommodation is convicted inmates, who are the owners of the prison.”
Addressing Bobrisky’s situation, Williams added,
“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.
“They provided him a special place for protective custody because, with his appearance, he would be in danger. He looks like a woman, moves like a woman, and there are homosexual inmates who would be willing to take things to extreme lengths.”
Former National PRO of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Francis Enobore, backed up Williams’ remarks, elaborating that the service meticulously profiles each inmate to ensure both their safety and the overall harmony within the prison environment.
“Yes, he confessed in court that he is a man but he came in bodily showing that he is a woman. 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 said.