A traditional ruler in Lagos, Chief Babalola Shabi, popularly known as “Baale No-Nonsense,” has alleged that Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS) officials colluded with controversial crossdresser Idris Okuneye, widely known as Bobrisky, to grant him VIP treatment during his incarceration at Kirikiri Correctional Centre.
Speaking at a town hall meeting organized by the Lagos State Police Command on Saturday, April 5, as part of National Police Week, Chief Shabi claimed Bobrisky smuggled eight Automated Teller Machine (ATM) cards into the facility. He alleged that the cards were used to carry out transactions amounting to N35 million via Point of Sale (POS) operators in the area.
“Before the truth came out, everyone believed he was in Kirikiri serving his time. But the reality is that Bobrisky was living comfortably outside the prison walls, thanks to a criminal collaboration involving some officials,” Shabi declared during his address.
According to the monarch, Bobrisky never actually stayed behind bars for the duration of his sentence. Instead, he alleged the social media personality resided in a private apartment outside the prison, supposedly arranged and protected by complicit NCS officers.
Chief Shabi said he took it upon himself to uncover the alleged corruption. “I personally called in the EFCC after I summoned the POS operators to my palace. From there, they were able to trace the transactions and decode the money trail,” he explained.
He stated that correctional officers frequently approached POS operators to help withdraw money using Bobrisky’s ATM cards. The process, he said, exposed a larger, well-organized network within the correctional facility.
“It was shocking how N35 million could be sourced from around here so quickly. Clearly, this was not a one-man job. The officials who aided him have been suspended,” Shabi added, suggesting that the scope of the operation was extensive and systematic.
The traditional ruler further revealed that the property where Bobrisky was allegedly kept during this period has since been identified and demolished. He also disclosed that both the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had interrogated him as part of their investigations.
“The DSS first invited me for questioning, and I told them everything I knew. The EFCC also reached out, and I gave them my full cooperation. As a community leader, I cannot allow this type of impunity to go unchecked,” Shabi affirmed.
His account, however, contradicts an earlier report by a National Assembly panel, which acknowledged Bobrisky received special treatment during his imprisonment but insisted he remained within the confines of the Kirikiri facility throughout his term.
