On Monday, October 21, 2024, the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) declared social media personality and transgender, Idris Okuneye Olarenwaju, famously known as Bobrisky, as a person of interest in an ongoing investigation.

It also noted that its personnel blocked Okuneye at the Sème border while attempting to escape the country earlier in the day.

“The NIS wishes to inform the public that Idris Okuneye Olanrewaju is a person of interest over current issues of public concern,” a press release signed by Kenneth Udo, the Public Relations Officer of the Nigerian Immigration Service, said on Monday evening.

The statement is titled ‘Nigeria Immigration Service blocks Idris Okuneye Olarenwaju (Bobrisky) at Sème bordering trying to escape the country.’

The dispute bordering Bobrisky started in April 2024 when he was convicted to six months in prison by the Federal High Court in Lagos for naira mutilation.

Although he was officially jailed at Kirikiri Prison, news emerged later claiming that Idris spent only three weeks at the correctional centre before being cautiously moved to a private facility.

This triggered widespread debate that his early release and special treatment were facilitated through bribery, with allegations of a N15 million payment made to personnel to secure his transfer and favourable treatment.

The situation got worse in late September 2024, when social media personality and activist VeryDarkMan posted an audio recording reportedly involving Bobrisky.

In the leaked call recording, Idris allegedly claimed that music artist Falz, and his father, human rights lawyer Femi Falana, had contacted him during his imprisonment, seeking N10m to secure a presidential pardon.

Reacting, Femi Falana and Falz issued a cease-and-desist letter on October 16, 2024, requesting a withdrawal and public apology for what they termed defamatory statements.

Okuneye, however, refuted making these claims, noting that he was not responsible for the leaked audio recording and advised the Falanas to hold VeryDarkMan responsible instead.

Meanwhile, the service, in its press release on Monday, said, “In keeping with its dedication to securing the borders, the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) blocked Okuneye Idris Olanrewaju, popularly known as Bobrisky, at the Seme Border over an attempt to flee the country.