A new controversy has emerged around Nigerian crossdresser Bobrisky, following claims that he secretly smuggled ATM cards into Kirikiri Prison, allegedly bribing officials for preferential treatment during his incarceration.
Chief Babalola Shabi, the Baale of Kirikiri Town, known for his outspoken nature, made the allegations public during a town hall meeting organized by the Lagos State Police. Shabi accused prison officials of allowing Bobrisky to bypass normal prison conditions, enabling him to live in a private apartment outside the facility instead.
According to Shabi, Bobrisky allegedly used the ATM cards to transfer ₦35 million to prison staff, facilitating his stay under more comfortable circumstances. The Baale revealed that it was his own intervention that led to the investigation. He had reached out to Point of Sale (POS) operators in the community, which then triggered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to trace the transactions, ultimately uncovering the large sum of money being funneled through the prison.
Shabi expressed his shock at how quickly the money was moved, suggesting a well-coordinated effort among the prison staff. He was later interrogated by the Department of State Services (DSS) and EFCC about the incident, and he confirmed that the private property Bobrisky was staying in had been located and demolished.
This revelation contradicts an earlier report from a National Assembly panel, which claimed that while Bobrisky had received special treatment, he had still served his sentence within the prison walls. However, Shabi insists that Bobrisky was allowed to stay outside, thanks to a network of corrupt officials.
Bobrisky, who was sentenced to six months in prison for abusing the naira, was released in August 2024. The controversy surrounding his sentence deepened further when controversial social critic VeryDarkMan shared a voice note allegedly from Bobrisky, claiming he had paid ₦15 million to EFCC officials to have money laundering charges dropped. The voice note also hinted at the involvement of a “godfather” and prison staff in securing Bobrisky’s privileged arrangement.
