The Nigeria Immigration Service has named a controversial crossdresser and social media personality, Okuneye Idris, otherwise known as Bobrisky, as a person of interest in an ongoing probe.
This is just as it also confirmed that its officers intercepted Idris at the Sème border while trying to flee the country earlier in the day.
Credible News reports that Bobrisky’s arrest was earlier made known by a social media activist, Martin Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, VDM, via an Instagram post, who disclosed that the crossdresser was trying to escape amidst an ongoing investigation by the House of Representatives over bribery allegations against officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and Nigerian Correctional Service, NCoS.
In the video by VDM, he displayed a message he had received, stating: “Bobrisky was arrested this morning at Seme border post on his way to escape to Benin Republic. He sent someone to help him sign his international passport, and he hid in his car. The Nigerian immigration service is currently holding him.”
However, the NIS, in a statement signed by its Public Relations Officer, Kenneth Udo, on Monday evening noted that: “The Service wishes to inform the public that OKUNEYE IDRIS is a person of interest over recent issues of public concern.
“In keeping with its commitment to securing the borders, Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) intercepted Okuneye Idris Olanrewaju otherwise known as Bobrisky at the Seme Border over an attempt to exit the country.
“He is undergoing interrogation and will be handed over to the appropriate authorities for further action.
“The Service assures the public that it will continue to be civil and professional in its statutory responsibility of manning the country’s borders.”
READ ALSO: Bobrisky in detention after attempting to flee Nigeria
The controversy surrounding Bobrisky began in April 2024 when he was sentenced to six months in prison by the Federal High Court in Lagos for naira abuse.
Although he was officially incarcerated at Kirikiri Prison, reports emerged later alleging that Bobrisky spent only three weeks in the facility before being discreetly moved to a private location.
This prompted widespread speculation that his early release and special treatment were facilitated through bribery, with accusations of a N15m payment made to officials to secure his transfer and preferential conditions.
The situation escalated in late September 2024, when social media influencer, VeryDarkMan, posted an audio recording allegedly involving Bobrisky.
In the leaked recording, Bobrisky purportedly claimed that music artist, Falz, and his father, human rights lawyer Femi Falana, had approached him during his imprisonment, seeking N10m to secure a presidential pardon.
In response, Falana and Falz issued a cease-and-desist letter on October 16, 2024, demanding a retraction and public apology for what they termed defamatory statements.
Bobrisky, however, denied making these claims, stating that he was not responsible for the leaked content and urging the Falanas to hold VDM accountable instead.
Credible News.ng
