THE Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) has denied reports suggesting that Bobrisky, the controversial cross-dresser, had been transferred from Ikoyi custodial center to Kirikiri prison in Lagos State.
An official from the NCoS clarified that Bobrisky was still being held at Ikoyi prison, emphasizing that his offense did not warrant placement in a maximum-security facility like Kirikiri, typically reserved for inmates with more severe convictions.
“Bobrisky has not been moved, he is still here in Ikoyi. He was not sentenced to death and didn’t get a life sentence either. Those people sentenced to death and given life sentences are mostly kept in the maximum prison. That is mostly based on capital punishment. As for Bobrisky, he didn’t commit a capital offence, so why would they take him to Kirikiri,” the source said.
The possibility of moving some inmates for decongestion purposes was mentioned, but no such action had been taken at the time.
The NCoS official highlighted that decisions to relocate inmates could be made based on factors like overcrowding, health concerns, proximity to family, or humanitarian grounds.
“Sometimes, when we discover that the population of inmates is much in a facility, we decide to move them just to decongest. We are only considering that at the moment and not that anyone has been moved. If the prison authorities want to move, they have the right. We also do so if the person has a communicable disease or because the inmate requested it for proximity to the family or an appeal on humanitarian grounds.
“The leadership might also say, ‘Let’s spread those who have less than one year sentence’, which may apply to Bobrisky, just to create space for those awaiting trial. But such people rarely go to the maximum prison,” the source disclosed.
According to reports, the crossdresser shares a cell with male inmates and was examined upon entrance, with outcomes revealing no gender or genital organ realignment.
He further revealed that the convicted crossdresser had followed the facility’s rules and procedures.
Recall that Bobrisky was arrested and held by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Wednesday, April 3, 2024. According to the commission, Bobrisky was invited following a video report of him showering fresh naira notes at the opening of Eniola Ajao’s film ‘Ajakaju’ on March 24, 2024, at FilmOne Circle Mall in Lekki, Lagos.
A Federal High Court in Lagos on Friday, April 5, 2024, convicted him after he pleaded guilty to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s accusations of naira abuse.
The EFCC brought six counts against him, the first four for naira abuse and the last two for alleged money laundering.
Before reading the allegations, the EFCC prosecutor asked the court to dismiss counts 5 and 6.
Bobrisky pleaded guilty to four charges of naira abuse.
Before his conviction, he requested a pardon, claiming that he was unaware of the regulations governing naira misuse and promised to teach his fans on social media about it.
