A panel in Nigeria has dismissed claims that Bobrisky, a transgender socialite, did not serve her full six-month jail term for abusing the national currency. However, the panel did find that Bobrisky received special privileges during her time in prison.
Bobrisky, also known as Idris Okuneye, was allowed frequent visits from family and friends, and had a furnished single cell, a humidifier, access to television, a fridge, and even a phone.
She was sent to a male prison for “naira abuse” after throwing banknotes around at a film premiere in April, although the money laundering charges against her were dismissed.
The investigation was prompted by claims made by social media influencer Martins Otse, known as VeryDarkMan, who alleged that officials were bribed to drop the money laundering charges against Bobrisky. Two senior prison officials were suspended over these allegations last month.
The panel, set up by the Ministry of Interior, stated that sending Bobrisky to a maximum security facility was a violation of the Nigerian Correctional Service Act.
It also mentioned that throwing money in the air, a common practice at Nigerian weddings and celebrations, is technically an offense punishable by up to six months in jail.
After her release in August, a viral video surfaced in which someone claiming to be Bobrisky alleged that she paid $9,000 (£7,000) to EFCC officials to have the charges dropped.
It was also rumored that she paid millions of naira to rent a flat near the prison where she supposedly served her sentence. Bobrisky denied the allegations.
Despite Bobrisky’s denial, the panel stated that further investigations would be carried out to determine if the privileges given to her were financially motivated.
