Controversial Nigerian cross-dresser Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, has revealed that he left Nigeria to attend to his health and mental well-being.
He shared this update in an Instagram post today, shortly after his release by Nigerian security operatives following an investigation into his earlier claims of bribing officials from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Nigerian Correctional Service.
Bobrisky posted, “Yes, I’m out of Nigeria temporarily. I need to attend to my sanity and my health.”
Background
Bobrisky’s troubles began when he was arrested by EFCC officials for alleged abuse of the Nigerian currency, after being seen in a video spraying naira notes.
It was initially reported that the EFCC planned to charge him with money laundering, though the charges were later dropped.
On April 12, 2024, he was sentenced to serve six months in prison.
In a twist, a social media personality and self-styled activist, Martins Vincent Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), released an audio clip in which Bobrisky allegedly admitted to bribing EFCC officials.
He also reportedly managed to serve his term outside the prison facility with the aid of senior prison officials, sparking allegations of VIP treatment in exchange for bribes.
The National Assembly launched an investigation, inviting both Bobrisky and VDM. Bobrisky ignored the summons and attempted to flee via a land border, but was subsequently arrested.
On November 1, 2024, EFCC officials apprehended him again at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, where he was removed from a KLM flight bound for London.
He was then taken to the EFCC headquarters in Abuja for questioning over claims that he bribed officials with N15 million to have the money laundering charges dismissed.
Details of his release conditions remain unknown as of this publication, though Bobrisky reportedly denied bribing the anti-graft agency.
In another statement, he claimed to have spent N9.8 million on two separate occasions for flight tickets, which went unused, and requested a refund from KLM.
“Imagine buying a business class ticket three times; only one was successful. KLM, I hope you guys refund me for the two I didn’t use. I know it’s not your fault, but it’s fine,” he wrote.