Audio By Carbonatix
A Nigerian investigative panel has dismissed allegations that transgender socialite Bobrisky, sentenced to six months in jail for abusing the national currency, lived in a flat outside prison and didn't serve her full term - but found she did receive other special privileges.
Bobrisky, real name Idris Okuneye, was allowed frequent visits from family and friends, had a furnished single cell, a humidifier, access to television, a fridge, and even a phone, the report sound.
She was sent to a male prison for "naira abuse" after throwing banknotes around at a film premier in April.
The court dismissed money laundering charges.
The panel was set up by the Ministry of Interior to investigate bribery claims made by social media influencer Martins Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan, who said officials had been bribed to drop money laundering charges against Bobrisky, who denied this.
Two senior prison officials were suspended over the allegations last month.
The panel, set up by the Ministry of Interior, said it would need to carry out further investigations to establish whether the privileges provided for Bobrisky "were financially motivated and based on corrupt practices by correctional officers".
- Throwing cash in the air - Nigeria's wedding dilemma
- PODCAST: Was Bobrisky jailed because of her transgender identity?
The panel added that sending Bobrisky, a first-time offender, to a maximum security facility had been a violation of the Nigerian Correctional Service Act.
Throwing money in the air, or "spraying" is commonly done at Nigerian weddings and other celebrations.
This is technically an offence as the notes then fall to the ground where they can be trodden on. The maximum punishment is six months in jail, however prosecutions were rare until this year.
After her release in August, a viral video of someone purported to be Bobrisky is heard alleging that she paid $9,000 (£7,000) to EFCC officials to have the money laundering charges dropped, which prompted the investigation.
It was also claimed that she had paid millions of naira to get a flat near the prison where she allegedly served her jail term.
Bobrisky, who has nearly five million followers on Instagram, denied that it was her voice in the recordings.
Latest Stories
-
Boankra Integrated Logistics Terminal: Tribunal orders Justmoh Construction to refund $33.3m to APSL
10 minutes -
Fitch affirms Bank of Africa at ‘BB’; outlook stable
57 minutes -
Ghana ends year at 23rd position in Africa with highest fuel prices
1 hour -
Remain vigilant during the festivities; cybercriminals do not take holidays – CSA cautions
1 hour -
NSA to close registration portal for 2025/2026 National Service year
2 hours -
BoG Governor targets single-digit interest rates to boost businesses
2 hours -
BAWA-ROCK Ltd honoured for sustainable gold trading at Africa Development Conference
2 hours -
Fire guts Unique Floral shop at Tse Addo
3 hours -
GPL 2025/26: Kotey strike hands Gold Stars crucial away win at Hohoe
3 hours -
Dormaahene urges Mahama to pursue accountability over National Cathedral project
3 hours -
GPL 2025/26: Mamah strike powers Samartex past Heart of Lions
3 hours -
Mahama directs release of GH¢1bn to contractors owed since 2017
3 hours -
GPL 2025/26: Aduana hold Hearts in Dormaa
3 hours -
Sekyi-Brown Reginald: Transforming infrastructure into preventive healthcare
3 hours -
Two arrested for unlawful possession of firearm, ammunition
3 hours
