The Director General of the Prison Rehabilitation Mission, Bishop Kayode Williams, has provided clarity on the separation of controversial crossdresser Idris Okuneye, known as Bobrisky, from other inmates at the correctional center, while firmly denying the existence of any VIP accommodations.
During a morning show on Friday, September 27, Williams detailed the categorization of inmate accommodations within the prison system.
“There are accommodations for condemned prisoners, those sentenced to death, who must not mingle with other inmates. The second accommodation is for convicted inmates, who are the primary residents of the prison,” he explained.
Addressing the specific situation of Bobrisky, Williams remarked, “The accommodation provided for males cannot include Idris with his transgender appearance in the general cell. The first step is to determine the appropriate treatment for someone in that circumstance.” This highlights the prison’s commitment to ensuring both safety and dignity in the management of inmates.
Supporting Williams’ statements, former National PRO of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Francis Enobore, emphasized that the service profiles each inmate to ensure their safety and maintain a secure environment.
However, he refuted any claims that Bobrisky was afforded special treatment, stating, “There’s no such thing as a private apartment or anything special in the prison.”
The controversy surrounding Bobrisky’s incarceration began earlier in the week when Martins Otse, known as VeryDarkMan, released a voice note in which Bobrisky allegedly claimed that, following his conviction for abusing naira notes in April, arrangements were made for him to serve his six-month sentence in a private apartment with the help of his godfather and the Controller General of the Nigerian Correctional Service.
In a further development, the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board announced on Thursday the suspension of two deputy controllers at the Kirikiri Medium Custodial Centre in Lagos.
This action was taken in response to ongoing allegations of bribery linked to Bobrisky’s case, reflecting heightened scrutiny of the correctional system’s operations.
As the situation unfolds, prison officials are emphasizing the importance of transparency and adherence to established protocols to ensure fairness and safety for all inmates, particularly those with unique circumstances.