Investigative journalist Fisayo Soyombo has disclosed how Nigerian prison officials operate a corrupt rental system allowing inmates to secure more comfortable living conditions for a price, with rates soaring as high as N1 million.
This startling information emerged in the aftermath of cross-dresser Idris Okuneye Olanrewaju, popularly known as Bobrisky, allegedly serving part of his six-month prison sentence in a private apartment instead of within the confines of a correctional facility.
Soyombo, while speaking to Arise TV News, recounted his personal experiences with the Nigerian prison system and the desperation for bribes among prison officials. His account coincides with ongoing scrutiny surrounding Bobrisky’s sentence for currency abuse, a case that has drawn significant public attention.
According to Soyombo, even though he arranged a dubious car purchase situation that landed him in prison, his perseverance to endure the actual prison experience was met with attempts by officials to extort him directly. “Each day, they were asking me to come and settle; they wanted bribes. But I wanted to go to prison because the police were not my target,” he explained.
On the day Soyombo was sentenced to prison, he was approached by officials who proposed a deal to secure him a more favorable prison environment for a sum of N5,000.
This transaction marked the beginning of shocking revelations about the commodification of prison conditions in Nigeria. “They said in prison, if you have money, you will never suffer. You serve in prison either with your money or with your body,” he stated.
Soyombo added that Bobrisky’s case was a prime example of this corrupt practice, attesting that “no one with money completes their term in prison unless they want to.” He further elaborated on the harsh realities of prison life, contrasting it with the alleged privileges afforded to those who can pay. He claimed that Bobrisky did not experience the unsanitary and cramped conditions that most inmates endure, stating, “I can tell you Bobrisky did not sleep in the cell.”
Compounding the scandal, social media influencer Vincent Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan, recently released an audio recording in which Bobrisky purportedly admits to spending his time in a private accommodation during his incarceration.
This recording also includes alleged claims that Bobrisky paid N15 million to Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) officials to have money laundering charges against him dropped.
In light of these damning allegations, the Federal Government of Nigeria has acted, inaugurating an independent investigative panel aimed at exploring the reported corruption and systemic violations within the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS).
Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Minister of Interior, emphasized the importance of the investigation in addressing the rampant corruption and conditions that neglect the dignity of inmates.
Soyombo’s claims have sparked a national conversation about the integrity of the Nigerian prison system and the urgent need for reforms that prioritize justice and fairness over financial capacity. “What are they correcting?” he questioned, referring to the inappropriately named Nigerian Correctional Service.
As investigators delve deeper into the allegations surrounding Bobrisky and the prison system, the need for accountability and transparency within Nigerian correctional facilities has never been clearer.
The unfolding situation holds significant implications for public trust in governance and justice in Nigeria, urging citizens and leaders alike to confront the ingrained corruption that undermines the system.
