The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) announced on Monday that social media personality Okuneye Idris, also known as Bobrisky, is a person of interest in an ongoing investigation. Bobrisky was intercepted by immigration officers at the Seme border while attempting to flee the country. This development follows Bobrisky’s April 2024 sentencing to six months in prison for naira abuse by the Federal High Court in Lagos. Although reports later suggested he was discreetly relocated from Kirikiri Prison after three weeks, sparking allegations of bribery involving a N15 million payment to officials, an investigative panel found no evidence of his early release.
The situation intensified when social media influencer VeryDarkMan leaked an audio recording in which Bobrisky allegedly claimed that musician Falz and his father, human rights lawyer Femi Falana, sought N10 million to secure a presidential pardon for him. Falana and Falz later issued a cease-and-desist letter, demanding an apology for the defamatory statements. Bobrisky denied making the claims, stating he was not responsible for the leak.
The NIS confirmed that Bobrisky is under interrogation and will be handed over to the relevant authorities for further action. His arrest comes after a report from a panel investigating allegations of corruption against the Nigeria Correctional Service, which oversees prison management. The panel, led by Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, found that Bobrisky did not sleep outside the prison during his sentence and that he enjoyed privileges such as a furnished cell, frequent visits, and access to personal amenities.
However, the panel raised concerns about the privileges granted to Bobrisky, suggesting they may have been influenced by corrupt practices. They recommended clearer guidelines for handling similar cases in the future. Additionally, the panel confirmed allegations of unethical conduct by Deputy Controller of Corrections Kelvin Iloafonsi Ikechukwu, who received money into his personal account from Abdulrasheed Maina’s son, further highlighting corruption within the correctional system.
