Crime
Reason Bobrisky Was Kept Outside Prison Walls
Idris Okuneye, better known as Bobrisky, a controversial Nigerian cross-dresser, has been at the center of a brewing scandal within the Nigerian Correctional Service.
Following allegations that Bobrisky, sentenced to six months imprisonment, was accommodated outside the designated custodial facility, the Federal Government has suspended two senior correctional officials for further investigation.
The officials, Michael Anugwa and Sikiru Adekunle, Deputy Controllers of Corrections at both the Medium and Maximum Security Custodial Centres in Kirikiri, Lagos State, have been suspended pending the outcome of an investigation led by the Ministry of Interior.
Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, during a press briefing in Abuja, stated, “No individual will be shielded from punishment, no matter their position. The investigation will be thorough, and anyone found culpable will face the full weight of the law.” He expressed full confidence in the investigative panel, led by Dr. Magdalene Ajani, Permanent Secretary in the ministry.
Speaking on the issue, inmates’ rights activist and Director General of the Prison Rehabilitation Mission, Bishop Kayode Williams, explained the rationale behind the decision to place Bobrisky in a separate accommodation. According to Williams, Bobrisky’s physical appearance posed significant safety risks within the general prison population.
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“Bobrisky’s transgender identity and feminine appearance would make him vulnerable in a male-dominated environment. Some unrepentant homosexual inmates may try to exploit the situation, which could escalate into a security threat. It was necessary to provide him with protective custody,” Williams said during an interview on Arise Television.
His sentiments were echoed by former National Public Relations Officer of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Controller Francis Enobore (retd.), who emphasized the need for special accommodations for individuals like Bobrisky.
While Bobrisky admitted in court that he is biologically male, his appearance – feminine dress, mannerisms, and physique – led authorities to conclude that placing him in a general prison environment could result in significant challenges. Enobore commented, “This situation could have created a serious security crisis if he was placed in a regular cell.”
The revelation of Bobrisky’s alleged preferential treatment has sparked outrage among Nigerians, with many questioning the integrity of the correctional system. The investigation aims to determine whether due process was followed in the arrangement and if the suspended officials acted outside their authority.
As the investigation continues, Minister Tunji-Ojo has promised transparency and accountability. “No stone will be left unturned. Nigerians deserve to know the truth, and the truth will prevail,” he said.
The outcome of the investigation is eagerly awaited as it could set a precedent for how the Nigerian Correctional Service handles high-profile inmates with unique circumstances. Public interest in the case remains high, as many await the conclusion of the investigation.
What began as a celebration ended behind bars for a Kano-based make-up artist, Abdullahi Huseini, popularly known as Amuscap, after a Federal High Court sentenced him to six months in prison for abusing the Nigerian currency during his wedding ceremony.
Huseini was convicted on a one-count charge of naira abuse brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), after he was caught on video spraying bundles of N1000 notes, a sum totaling N100,000 while dancing at his wedding reception held at the Ali Jita Event Centre on December 6, 2024.
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Justice S.M. Shuaibu delivered the ruling after the defendant pleaded guilty to the charge. There was no option of fine.
The charge against him read: “That you, Abdullahi Musa Huseini, on the 6th day of December, 2024, at Ali Jita Event Centre, Kano, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court whilst dancing during a social event tampered with the sum N100,000.00 (One Hundred Thousand Naira) in 1000 notes denomination issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria by spraying in the said occasion and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act, 2007.”
According to the EFCC, Huseini’s arrest followed credible intelligence linking him to currency mutilation.
“The convict was arrested following credible intelligence on his involvement in the deliberate mutilation of the Nigerian currency by spraying it at his own wedding celebration,” the agency said in a statement.
At the hearing, EFCC counsel Zarami Mohammed presented the facts of the case and submitted video evidence. Justice Shuaibu thereafter found Huseini guilty and imposed a custodial sentence.
“Upon arraignment, Huseini pleaded guilty to the charge, prompting the prosecution counsel, Zarami Mohammed, to present the facts of the case and tender evidence before the court. Delivering judgment, Justice Shuaibu found him guilty as charged and sentenced him to six months imprisonment without an option of fine,” the EFCC added.
The anti-graft agency noted that Huseini’s action was in defiance of ongoing warnings against the abuse and defacement of the naira.
“Investigations revealed that Huseini willfully defaced and abused the Naira notes in defiance of warnings and campaigns against the practice by the EFCC,” the statement added.
Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo has condemned in strong terms the setting ablaze of some suspected kidnappers by residents of a community in Uromi, East North East Local Government Area.
Describing the act as barbaric and condemn-able, the Governor represented by the Chief Security Officer (CSO), Government House, SP Solomon Osaghale, vowed to ensure that the perpetuators are brought to justice and made to face the full wrath of the law.
He stressed that such a barbaric act is strange in our climes and will not be tolerated in the State.
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SP Osaghale said he was in Uromi at the instance of the Governor to ascertain the level of damage done and to ensure that prompt and full investigation was carried out to ensure justice so as to forestall a reoccurrence.
He revealed that investigations have shown that the people who were killed had boarded a commercial truck and was stopped by members of local security who upon searching of the vehicle, discovered some guns, a situation that led to the mob attack by persons around the vicinity.
While condemning the act, he restated that nobody had the right to take another man’s life, stressing that the nature of the barbaric killing was a cause of concern to the Governor.
SP Oseghale said, “His Excellency, the Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo on getting the news of this incident, directed me to immediately come here and find out what transpired as the news of what happened here is a sign of worry to our Governor whose desire is to create a prosperous State void of dastardly acts like this.
“I can assure you that the people involved in this unprovoked attacked will not go scot -free, as His Excellency has directed the Commissioner of Police to launch a full scale investigation into the matter. As I speak now, over four persons have been arrested for their involvement in this ugly incidence.”
The CSO called for calm, while assuring the law abiding residents of Uromi, especially the Hausa Community in the area to go about their daily activities, as men of the Nigerian police force and other security agencies have been deployed to restore peace and normalcy to the place.
Appreciating the Governor for his swift response, the leader of the Hausa Community in Uromi, Mal Aliyu Haruna, thanked Governor Okpebholo for deploying the CSO and other security personnel to the community.
Haruna acknowledged that their presence has brought calm and reassurance to the Hausa Community in the area, as there was palpable fear and unease in their camp following the unfortunate incidence which he noted has never happened before in the local government.
“We want to sincerely thank the Governor of Edo State, His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo for his swift response to the occurrence of this ugly incidence. I must tell you that this is the first time a thing like this is happening in Uromi and it baffles me because, Uromi people have been so accommodating to us in the Hausa Community.
“Over the years, we have lived peacefully among the indigenes. Our sojourn in this land has spanned over seventy years. I was given birth to here, and so are many other people you are seeing here today,” Haruna said.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared prominent businesswoman and socialite, Aisha Sulaiman Achimugu, wanted over an alleged case of criminal conspiracy and money laundering.
In a public notice released on Friday via the agency’s official X handle, EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale called on Nigerians to provide any useful information regarding Achimugu’s whereabouts.
“The public is hereby notified that Aisha Sulaiman Achimugu, whose photograph appears above, is wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in an alleged case of criminal conspiracy and money laundering,” the statement read.
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Achimugu, 51, hails from Ofu Local Government Area of Kogi State, with her last known address listed as 6C, Rudolf Close, Maitama, Abuja.
The EFCC urged anyone with relevant information to contact its offices across the country or report to the nearest police station or security agency.
The declaration follows Achimugu’s failure to honor an invitation by the anti-graft agency regarding an ongoing investigation into money laundering and a high-profile investment scam.
According to PUNCH Online, the EFCC had summoned her to appear at its Port Harcourt office on March 5, 2025, for questioning.
The summons, dated March 4, was signed by the agency’s acting zonal director in Port Harcourt, Adebayo Adeniyi, and delivered to her Abuja residence.
“This commission is currently investigating a case in which the need to obtain certain clarification from you becomes imperative. In view of the above, you are kindly requested to attend an interview with the undersigned through the Head of Investigation on Wednesday, 5th March 2025, by 10:00 hours prompt,” the letter stated.
However, rather than appearing before the EFCC, Achimugu reportedly left Nigeria on March 6. Her sudden departure prompted the agency to secure a warrant for her arrest before officially declaring her wanted.
The EFCC has urged members of the public with any information about her location to come forward, assuring that all details provided would be treated with confidentiality.
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