The ongoing controversy surrounding Nigerian internet personality Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, has prompted the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, to address deeper systemic issues within Nigeria’s institutions.
Bobrisky, a well-known cross-dresser, recently came under scrutiny following allegations that he bribed officials of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) to receive special treatment during his time in custody, sparking a broader conversation about institutional integrity and reform.
In an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Tunji-Ojo acknowledged the seriousness of the claims and pointed out that this incident reveals wider institutional challenges beyond Bobrisky’s case.
“When there is an institutional problem, a quick fix is not the solution,” he stated. He noted that a committee was established to investigate not only Bobrisky’s case but also other related issues within the NCoS, including allegations of absconding officials and bribery within the system. “It’s a deep-seated institutional problem,” he said, underscoring the need for a comprehensive approach to address these issues.
Minister: Allegations of Bribery and Preferential Treatment
The controversy initially surfaced when viral audio suggested that Bobrisky had allegedly paid officials to obtain preferential treatment in prison after his sentencing in April 2024 for naira abuse. Following his detention, Bobrisky reportedly secured a choice location within the facility by paying substantial bribes.
In addition, blogger Martins Otse, known online as VeryDarkMan, claimed in viral videos that Bobrisky had paid ₦15 million to Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) officers to avoid further charges of money laundering. However, Bobrisky has since denied all such claims.
Official Responses and Investigations
In response to these allegations, the EFCC and NCoS both launched internal investigations into potential misconduct among their officials. Furthermore, the Nigerian House of Representatives intervened, demanding testimonies from the parties involved to clarify the facts of the case. The Federal Government took immediate action, suspending several senior NCoS officers as part of the inquiry process.
On September 30, 2024, Minister Tunji-Ojo formally inaugurated a special committee to probe the alleged misconduct within the NCoS, including claims that Bobrisky received exclusive privileges during his sentence. After extensive investigation, the committee reported that it found no concrete evidence to suggest Bobrisky was granted any special accommodations or that he spent nights outside the custodial center during his sentence, which lasted from April 12 to August 5, 2024.
Minister: Calls for Institutional Reform
Highlighting the need for long-term solutions, Minister Tunji-Ojo stressed that institutional reform is crucial to prevent such incidents from recurring. “We cannot pass today’s problems on to the future,” he stated, emphasizing that structural changes in Nigeria’s institutions are necessary to uphold the rule of law and ensure accountability.
The scandal surrounding Bobrisky has prompted widespread discussions in Nigeria, not only regarding individual misconduct but also about the importance of addressing systemic vulnerabilities within government institutions. Minister Tunji-Ojo’s commitment to institutional reform signals an effort by the Federal Government to address and resolve the underlying issues revealed by this high-profile case.
