Nigerian prison experts have addressed the controversy surrounding Bobrisky’s separation from other inmates, denying rumors of a VIP section being created for him.
A drama unfolded earlier this week when Martins Otse, known as VeryDarkMan, released a voice note claiming that after his conviction in April for misusing naira notes, Bobrisky allegedly revealed a deal orchestrated by his godfather and the Nigerian Correctional Service’s Controller General.
This arrangement supposedly allowed Bobrisky to serve his six-month sentence in a private apartment, rather than in a standard prison environment.
Bishop Kayode Williams, Director General of the Prison Rehabilitation Mission, recently discussed the treatment of inmates on Arise TV’s The Morning Show, revealing that accommodations vary based on the nature of offenses and individual security risks.
Williams stated that while Bobrisky’s situation is unique, it doesn’t signify preferential treatment. All inmates are categorized based on set criteria, determining their housing within the correctional system.
He said,
“There are accommodations for condemned prisoners, those sentenced to death, who must not mingle with other inmates. The second accommodation is convicted inmates, who are the owners of the prison.”
Addressing Bobrisky’s situation, Williams added,
“The accommodation that is provided for males, are they going to bring Idris with his transgender body /look to go and sleep in the general cell? The first thing they do is decide how to treat someone like that.
“They provided him a special place for protective custody because, with his appearance, he would be in danger. He looks like a woman, moves like a woman, and there are homosexual inmates who would be willing to take things to extreme lengths.”
Francis Enobore, former National PRO of the Nigerian Correctional Service, supported Williams’ remarks, explaining that the service rigorously profiles inmates to maintain both their individual safety and overall prison harmony.
“Yes, he confessed in court that he is a man but he came in bodily showing that he is a woman. Some of the people behind bars are unrepentant homosexuals. There is no doubt that if care is not taken, we will have a very serious security situation on our hands,” he said.