{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2022}} {{Use Nigerian English|date=May 2026}} {{Short description|Nigerian transgender woman (born 1991)}} {{Infobox person | name = Bobrisky | image = Bobrisky cropped.png | caption = Bobrisky on her birthday | occupation = Social media personality | birth_name = Okuneye Idris Olanrewaju | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1991|08|31}}<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/celebrities/bobrisky-laments-over-loss-of-n19m-spent-on-botched-birthday/frms19m.amp|title=Bobrisky laments over loss of N19m spent on botched birthday|newspaper=Pulse Nigeria|date=September 2019|access-date=2019-12-09|archive-date=2019-12-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191209061559/https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/celebrities/bobrisky-laments-over-loss-of-n19m-spent-on-botched-birthday/frms19m.amp|url-status=live}}</ref> | birth_place = Abuja Nigeria | alma_mater = University of Lagos | years_active = 2014–present | website = | other_names = }} '''Okuneye Idris Olanrewaju''' ({{Audio|Okuneye_Idris_Olanrewaju.wav|listen}}; born 31 August 1991), predominantly known as '''Bobrisky''', is a Nigerian social media personality.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lartey |first=Winifred |date=2024-04-22 |title=Six things you (probably) didn't know about Bobrisky |url=https://asaaseradio.com/six-things-you-probably-didnt-know-about-bobrisky/ |access-date=2026-03-28 |website=Asaase Radio |language=en-US}}</ref> She is a transgender woman<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Amissah |first=Emmanuel Jacob |date=2025-06-25 |title='Am a woman now, accept it' - Bobrisky |url=https://www.modernghana.com/entertainment/81115/am-a-woman-now-accept-it-bobrisky.html |access-date=2025-07-08 |website=Modern Ghana |language=en}}</ref> known for her presence on the social media apps Snapchat, TikTok, and Instagram.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://thenet.ng/bobrisky-definitely-nigerias-kim-kardashian/|location=Lagos, Nigeria|title=Why Snapchat king Bobrisky is definitely Nigeria's Kim Kardashian|date=2017-01-18|newspaper=The NET|language=en-GB|access-date=2017-02-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170204170347/http://thenet.ng/2017/01/bobrisky-definitely-nigerias-kim-kardashian/|archive-date=2017-02-04|url-status=live|last=Ewulluh|first=Binyelum}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.pulse.ng/lifestyle/fashion/how-bobrisky-became-an-unlikely-female-style-icon/shfxxke|title=How Bobrisky became an unlikely female style icon|last=OBIORA|first=NTIANU|date=2018-11-06|newspaper=Pulse Nigeria|language=en-US|access-date=2019-11-16|archive-date=2019-11-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191116142528/https://www.pulse.ng/lifestyle/fashion/how-bobrisky-became-an-unlikely-female-style-icon/shfxxke|url-status=live}}</ref>
Bobrisky has a huge following on social media. She is highly controversial on social media for not adhering to conservative Nigerian standards. She is a visible gender non-conforming person in a country where homosexuality is illegal (see LGBTQ rights in Nigeria).<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |last= |date=2016-11-22 |title=Beauty is pain, says Bobrisky |url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/11/beauty-pain-says-bobrisky/ |location=Lagos, Nigeria|access-date=2025-07-06 |newspaper=Vanguard|language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last= |first= |date=2017-11-10 |title=The pretty, sexy king: The Story of Bobrisky |url=https://thenationonlineng.net/pretty-sexy-king-story-bobrisky/ |location=Lagos, Nigeria|access-date=2025-07-06 |newspaper=The Nation|language=en-US}}</ref> Bobrisky has always maintained that her pronouns are she/her, despite the heated debates surrounding them.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Egbe |first=Robert |date=2019-09-03 |title=Inside the ‘risky’ life of Bobrisky |url=https://thenationonlineng.net/inside-the-risky-life-of-bobrisky/ |location=Lagos, Nigeria|access-date=2025-11-10 |newspaper=The Nation|language=en-US}}</ref>
== Early life and education == Born Okuneye Idris Olarenwaju in 1991, Bobrisky attended both King's High School and Okota High School for her secondary school education, and graduated with a BSc degree in accounting from the University of Lagos (UNILAG).<ref name=":7">{{Cite news |last=Bada |first=Gbenga |date=2024-04-10 |title=Bobrisky: Man who dresses and acts like a woman in the eye of the storm |url=https://thenationonlineng.net/bobrisky/ |location=Lagos, Nigeria|access-date=2025-07-08 |newspaper=The Nation|language=en-US}}</ref> Bobrisky was briefly arrested in 2011 for posing as a woman, described as a way to make money for university fees,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Onu |first=Stephen |date=2024-04-19 |title=Flashback: Did you know police arrested, paraded Bobrisky in 2011? See why |url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/entertainment/naija-fashion/687273-flashback-did-you-know-police-arrested-paraded-bobrisky-in-2011-see-why.html |access-date=2025-07-08 |newspaper=Premium Times}}</ref> and sold clothes during university studies.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Itodo |first=Sunny Green |date=2024-03-28 |title=Why I became a transgender - Bobrisky |url=https://dailypost.ng/2024/03/28/why-i-became-a-transgender-bobrisky/ |location=Lagos, Nigeria|access-date=2025-07-08 |newspaper=Daily Post|language=en-US}}</ref>
== Career and publicity == By 2016, Bobrisky had grown a large audience on Snapchat, where she published makeup videos and sold skin whitening creams.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2017-08-25 |title=Bobrisky is the Nigerian Millennial we deserve |url=https://thenativemag.com/bobrisky-nigerian-millennial-deserve/ |access-date=2025-07-06 |website=The Native |language=en-US}}</ref> Progressive commentators have criticized her for promoting skin lightening and misogyny.<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":6">{{Cite web |last=Cole |first=Timinepre |date=2024-05-22 |title=Bobrisky, LGBTQ+ Rights and the Fallacy of Class Mobility in Nigeria |url=https://rpublc.com/april-may-2024/bobrisky-lgbtq-rights-nigeria/ |access-date=2025-07-08 |website=The Republic |language=en-GB}}</ref> She was interviewed in the 2019 documentary ''Skin'' about colorism among Nigerian women.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Samuel |first=Mofijesusewa |date=2020-07-07 |title=Bobrisky Explains Why He Bleached His Skin In Beverly Naya’s ‘Skin’ |url=https://thenet.ng/bobrisky-explains-why-he-bleached-his-skin-in-beverly-nayas-skin/,%20https://thenet.ng/bobrisky-explains-why-he-bleached-his-skin-in-beverly-nayas-skin/ |location=Lagos, Nigeria|access-date=2025-07-06 |language=en-US|newspaper=The NET}}</ref>
On Snapchat, Bobrisky also drew attention in 2016 and 2017 by referring to a lover who people assumed to be a man, despite the law in Nigeria that criminalizes same-sex relationships.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Abati |first=Reuben |title=10 Nigerian celebrities who became famous for all the wrong reasons - Seun Joseph |url=http://www.reubenabati.com.ng/index.php/featured/item/384-10-nigerian-celebrities-who-became-famous-for-all-the-wrong-reasons-seun-joseph |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170314153505/http://www.reubenabati.com.ng/index.php/featured/item/384-10-nigerian-celebrities-who-became-famous-for-all-the-wrong-reasons-seun-joseph |archive-date=2017-03-14 |access-date=2017-03-14 |language=en-gb}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2016-10-27 |title=Watch Bobrisky speak at Abuja conference on how she became famous on social media |url=http://www.nigeriatoday.ng/2016/10/watch-bobrisky-speak-at-abuja-conference-on-how-he-became-famous-on-social-media/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170314154713/http://www.nigeriatoday.ng/2016/10/watch-bobrisky-speak-at-abuja-conference-on-how-he-became-famous-on-social-media/ |archive-date=2017-03-14 |access-date=2017-03-14 |work=Nigeria Today |language=en-GB}}</ref> Around that time, Bobrisky asserted to be a heterosexual man who put on a feminine appearance to get more customers for products.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Onikoyi |first=Ayo |date=2016-11-26 |title=I can’t remain a Muslim because of my make-ups, says Bobrisky |url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/11/cant-remain-muslim-make-ups-says-bobrisky/ |location=Lagos, Nigeria|access-date=2025-07-08 |newspaper=Vanguard|language=en-GB}}</ref><ref name=":7" /> Bobrisky spoke against same-sex marriage and in support of the law against homosexuality, statements that drew concern from other LGBTQ people in Nigeria.<ref name=":6" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Azuah |first=Unoma |date=2021-05-06 |title=Bobrisky: A Mirror for Nigeria? |url=https://africanarguments.org/2021/05/bobrisky-a-mirror-for-nigeria/ |access-date=2025-07-08 |website=African Arguments |language=en-GB}}</ref>
In October 2016, Bobrisky was an invited speaker at a conference in Abuja about uses of social media.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2016-10-25 |title=Nigerians are upset with BOBRISKY who is speaking at a conference in Abuja this week |url=https://thenet.ng/nigerian-are-upset-with-bobrisky-who-is-speaking-at-a-conference-in-abuja-this-week/ |location=Lagos, Nigeria|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170517134942/http://thenet.ng/2016/10/nigerian-are-upset-with-bobrisky-who-is-speaking-at-a-conference-in-abuja-this-week/ |archive-date=2017-05-17 |access-date=2017-05-03 |language=en-GB|newspaper=The NET}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2016-10-27 |title=Bobrisky speaks at Abuja conference despite controversies [PHOTOS] |url=http://dailypost.ng/2016/10/27/bobrisky-speaks-abuja-conference-despite-controversies-photos/ |location=Lagos, Nigeria|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170404221022/http://dailypost.ng/2016/10/27/bobrisky-speaks-abuja-conference-despite-controversies-photos/ |archive-date=2017-04-04 |access-date=2017-05-03 |newspaper=Daily Post}}</ref> Nigerian presidential aide Bashir Ahmad publicly withdrew from the event due to Bobrisky's participation.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2016-10-26 |title=Nigeria's Presidential Aide Withdraws From New Media Conference After 'Male Barbie' Bobrisky Announced As Speaker |url=http://saharareporters.com/2016/10/26/nigeria%E2%80%99s-presidential-aide-withdraws-new-media-conference-after-%E2%80%98male-barbie%E2%80%99-bobrisky |location=New York City, United States|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170210035452/http://saharareporters.com/2016/10/26/nigeria%E2%80%99s-presidential-aide-withdraws-new-media-conference-after-%E2%80%98male-barbie%E2%80%99-bobrisky |archive-date=2017-02-10 |access-date=2017-05-03 |newspaper=Sahara Reporters}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=I Won't Share The Same Podium With Bobrisky - Buhari's Media Aide |url=https://thewhistler.ng/story/i-won-t-share-the-same-podium-with-bobrisky-buhari-s-media-aide |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171016122445/https://thewhistler.ng/story/i-won-t-share-the-same-podium-with-bobrisky-buhari-s-media-aide/ |archive-date=2017-10-16 |access-date=2017-05-03 |language=en-gb|newspaper=The Whistler}}</ref> In November 2016, Taiwo Kola-Ogunlade, Google's Communications and Public Affairs Manager for West Africa, stated that Bobrisky was the most searched individual in Nigeria from 26 October to November of that year.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sesan |date=2017-02-18 |title=Cross-dressing: Nigeria’s latest social media craze |url=https://punchng.com/nigerias-latest-social-media-craze/ |access-date=2025-07-06 |newspaper=The Punch|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2 November 2016 |title=Bobrisky, ‘Africa’s Male Barbie’ dominates Google trend |url=https://pmnewsnigeria.com/2016/11/02/bobrisky-africas-male-barbie-dominates-google-trend/ |location=Lagos, Nigeria|access-date=2025-07-06 |newspaper=P.M. News}}</ref>
In 2019, Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, Director General of Nigeria's National Council for Arts and Culture, called Bobrisky "a national disgrace"<ref>{{Cite news |last=Itie |first=Harry |date=2019-09-02 |title=Wetin be Bobrisky crime? |url=https://www.bbc.com/pidgin/tori-49555587 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191212163159/https://www.bbc.com/pidgin/tori-49555587 |archive-date=2019-12-12 |access-date=2019-11-16 |work=bbc.com/pidgin |language=en-GB pidgin}}</ref> and said she would be "dealt with ruthlessly" if caught on the streets, due to what he called an immoral lifestyle.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Alabi |first=Temitope |date=2019-08-25 |title='Bobrisky A National Disgrace' — Olusegun Runsewe |url=https://www.informationng.com/2019/08/bobrisky-a-national-disgrace-olusegun-runsewe.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191116131202/https://www.informationng.com/2019/08/bobrisky-a-national-disgrace-olusegun-runsewe.html |archive-date=2019-11-16 |access-date=2019-11-16 |website=Information Nigeria |language=en-US}}</ref> He continued to criticize her in 2021.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2021-02-08 |title=Bobrisky: Council for Arts DG, Runsewe, urges parents to guide their children |url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/entertainment/naija-fashion/441423-bobrisky-council-for-arts-dg-runsewe-urges-parents-to-guide-their-children.html |access-date=2025-07-08 |newspaper=Premium Times}}</ref>
She went viral on TikTok for creating the "Bobrisky" dance in 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |last=OSBC_Admin |date=2023-05-06 |title=I Cook With Bottled Water Only – Bobrisky |url=https://osbcng.org/i-cook-with-bottled-water-only-bobrisky#google_vignette |access-date=2024-11-29 |website=OSBC {{!}} Osun State Broadcasting Corporation |language=en-US}}</ref> Bobrisky has also drawn attention through her associations with other Nigerian celebrities, including Tonto Dikeh.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bless |first=Nessa |date=2024-08-25 |title=Bobrisky Showers Praises On His Former Best Friend, Tonto Dikeh For Dashing Her Money While He Was In Jail |url=https://www.ghanacelebrities.com/2024/08/25/bobrisky-showers-praises-on-his-former-best-friend-tonto-dikeh-for-dashing-her-money-while-he-was-in-jail/ |access-date=2024-11-29 |website=GhanaCelebrities.Com |language=en-US}}</ref>
In July 2021, she revealed a new physical appearance after undergoing feminisation surgery.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Tochukwu Andrew|title=Check Out Bobrisky's New Body As He Transforms Feminine After Surgery! - I Get Talk|date=9 July 2021 |url=https://igettalk.com/2021/07/bobrisky-new-body-photos.html|access-date=2021-08-09|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.olisa.tv/2016/09/bobrisky-evolution-before-and-after-photos-of-nigerias-famous-gender-bender/|title=Bobrisky: Before and After Photos of Nigeria's Famous Gender-Bender|date=2016-09-01|work=Olisa Blogazine|access-date=2017-03-14|language=en-GB|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170314154735/https://www.olisa.tv/2016/09/bobrisky-evolution-before-and-after-photos-of-nigerias-famous-gender-bender/|archive-date=2017-03-14|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2025, she said she was now "a woman who has undergone everything."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Johnson |first=Hannah |date=2025-01-22 |title=I am now a woman, Bobrisky responds to Trump’s gender policy |url=https://punchng.com/i-am-now-a-woman-bobrisky-responds-to-trumps-two-gender-policy/ |access-date=2025-07-08 |newspaper=The Punch|language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":4" />
In 2022, the Nigerian House of Representatives introduced a bill to prohibit cross-dressing as an amendment to the Same Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act 2013, which was noted as potentially impacting Bobrisky if it passed.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Majeed |first=Bakare |date=2022-04-05 |title=Cross Dressing: Bobrisky, James Brown, others risk six months jail as Reps move to amend same-sex law |url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/521982-cross-dressing-bobrisky-james-brown-others-risk-six-months-jail-as-reps-move-to-amend-same-sex-law.html |access-date=2025-07-03 |newspaper=Premium Times}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Omosola |first=Friday |date=4 April 2024 |title=Why police can’t arrest Bobrisky, other crossdressers—Force PRO |url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/entertainment/naija-fashion/682868-why-police-cant-arrest-bobrisky-other-crossdressers-force-pro.html |access-date=2025-07-08 |newspaper=Premium Times}}</ref> Bobrisky said it would not impact her because she was not a cross-dresser, since she had undergone surgeries to become a woman.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Nseyen |first=Nsikak |date=2022-04-10 |title=Bobrisky reacts as Reps move to ban cross-dressing, imprison offenders |url=https://dailypost.ng/2022/04/10/bobrisky-reacts-as-reps-move-to-ban-cross-dressing-imprison-offenders/ |location=Lagos, Nigeria|access-date=2025-07-08 |newspaper=Daily Post|language=en-US}}</ref>
In April 2024, VeryDarkMan petitioned the police to investigate her over alleged public display of homosexuality.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Mosadioluwa |first=Adam |date=2024-04-09 |title=Bobrisky: Verydarkman petitions DIG over alleged public display of homosexuality |url=https://tribuneonlineng.com/bobrisky-verydarkman-petitions-dig-over-alleged-public-display-of-homosexuality/ |access-date=2025-07-08 |newspaper=Nigerian Tribune|language=en-GB}}</ref> In November 2024, Bobrisky stated in an Instagram post that she left Nigeria for the sake of her sanity and health.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sanusi |first=Deborah |date=2024-11-04 |title=Why I left Nigeria - Bobrisky |url=https://punchng.com/why-i-left-nigeria-bobrisky/ |access-date=2025-11-10 |newspaper=The Punch|language=en-US}}</ref> She has confirmed her move to the UK, where she says she has found peace and freedom.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Media |first=Flor |date=2025-07-28 |title=Bobrisky Finds Peace and Freedom After Relocating to the UK |url=https://www.flormedia.com/bobrisky-finds-peace-and-freedom-after-relocating-to-the-uk/ |access-date=2025-11-10 |website=Flor Media |language=en-US}}</ref> In 2025, Bobrisky continues to assert that she is a "complete woman", having undergone several surgeries as part of her gender transition.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lasaki |first=Eniola |date=2025-05-22 |title="I'm a Complete Woman Now": Bobrisky Posts Update About Transformation, Evidence Evokes Reactions - Legit.ng |url=https://www.legit.ng/entertainment/celebrities/1656210-im-a-complete-woman-bobrisky-posts-update-transformation-evidence-evokes-reactions/ |access-date=2025-11-10 |newspaper=Legit.ng|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250522070258/https://www.legit.ng/entertainment/celebrities/1656210-im-a-complete-woman-bobrisky-posts-update-transformation-evidence-evokes-reactions/|archive-date=22 May 2025}}</ref>
==Legal issues== === Naira mutilation and related bribery allegations === In early April 2024, Bobrisky was arrested for allegedly defacing naira banknotes, following an investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).<ref name=":8" /> The charges stemmed from social media videos that appeared to show her throwing money in the air, including at a film premiere the previous month.<ref name=":8">{{cite news |last1=Abubakar |first1=Mansur |title=Bobrisky: Nigerian celebrity arrested for abuse of naira |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-68732205 |access-date=4 April 2024 |publisher=BBC News |date=4 April 2024}}</ref> Money spraying is common at parties, and the law against it is selectively enforced and rarely results in more than a fine.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Asadu |first=Chinedu |date=2024-04-12 |title=A Nigerian transgender celebrity is jailed for throwing money into the air, a rare conviction |url=https://apnews.com/article/lagos-bobrisky-naira-spraying-nigeria-transgender-5f2da120b58d3848f4252a9ffde9a20f |access-date=2025-07-06 |website=AP News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Kogbara |first=Donu |date=2024-04-16 |title=Opinion: Why break Bobrisky like a butterfly on a wheel? |url=https://www.theafricareport.com/344574/opinion-why-break-bobrisky-like-a-butterfly-on-a-wheel/ |access-date=2025-07-08 |website=The Africa Report |language=en}}</ref> Bobrisky entered a guilty plea to four counts of currency abuse on 5 April 2024.<ref name=":0" /> The maximum penalty for this offence is six months in prison.<ref name=":0">{{cite news |last1=Ikulajolu |first1=Adesola |title=Bobrisky: Nigerian internet personality pleads guilty to abuse of naira |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-68742790 |access-date=7 April 2024 |publisher=BBC News |date=5 April 2024}}</ref> On 12 April 2024, Bobrisky was sentenced to the maximum of six months in prison with no option of fine over "abusing and mutilating" Naira notes.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Soyele |first=Olugbenga |date=2024-04-12 |title=BREAKING: Celebrity Transgender, Bobrisky, Jailed 6 Months Over Naira Abuse |url=https://leadership.ng/breaking-celebrity-transgender-bobrisky-jailed-6-months-over-naira-abuse/ |access-date=2024-04-12 |newspaper=Leadership|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-04-12 |title=Bobrisky sentenced to jail: Which prison dem go keep crossdresser Idris Okuneye? |url=https://www.bbc.com/pidgin/articles/cxe802p7xz6o |access-date=2024-04-12 |website=BBC News Pidgin}}</ref> Bobrisky was released from prison on 5 August 2024.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Nseyen |first=Nsikak |date=2024-08-05 |title=Bobrisky released from prison |url=https://dailypost.ng/2024/08/05/bobrisky-released-from-prison/ |location=Lagos, Nigeria|access-date=2024-08-05 |newspaper=Daily Post|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ijeoma |first=Ijeoma |date=2024-08-05 |title=Breaking: Crossdresser Bobrisky released from prison |url=https://www.dockaysworld.com.ng/crossdresser-bobrisky-released-from-prison/ |access-date=2024-08-05 |website=Dockaysworld}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Nosa |first=Oke-Hortons |date=2024-08-05 |title="Freedom at last": Bobrisky trends as he leaves Kirikiri prison, video trends |url=https://www.legit.ng/entertainment/celebrities/1606194-breaking-controversial-crossdresser-bobrisky-finally-released-kirikiri-prison/ |access-date=2024-08-05 |newspaper=Legit.ng|language=en}}</ref>
In September 2024, VeryDarkMan published an audio recording that he said showed evidence that Bobrisky had bribed officials to drop money laundering charges and let her serve her prison term in a private apartment.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Kupemba |first=Danai Nesta |date=2024-10-21 |title=Trans socialite did serve her jail term, Nigerian panel finds |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ckg2g79dkpdo |access-date=2025-07-06 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> Two prison officials were suspended during investigation of the allegations.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Wycliffe |first=Muia |date=2024-09-27 |title=Nigeria prison officials suspended over celebrity jail row |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c9dyqd1wq6po |access-date=2025-07-06 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> She denied the claims, and an investigative panel dismissed the allegations in October 2024.<ref name=":1" /> The panel also found that putting Bobrisky in a maximum security prison had been a violation of the Nigerian Correctional Service Act, because she was only a first-time offender.<ref name=":1" />
On 20 October 2024, the Nigeria Immigration Service arrested Bobrisky while she was trying to leave the country through the Seme border, due to being "a person of interest over recent issues of public concern."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Angbulu |first=Stephen |date=2024-10-21 |title=BREAKING: Immigration confirms arrest of Bobrisky |url=https://punchng.com/breaking-immigration-confirms-arrest-of-bobrisky/ |access-date=2025-07-06 |newspaper=The Punch|language=en-US}}</ref> She spent the night in custody, and on 21 October 2024 she was transferred to the Force Criminal Investigation Department Annex in Alagbon, Lagos.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lambo |first=Deji |date=2024-10-22 |title=Bobrisky transferred to FCID, spent night behind bars |url=https://punchng.com/breaking-bobrisky-transferred-to-fcid-spent-night-behind-bars/ |access-date=2025-07-06 |newspaper=The Punch|language=en-US}}</ref> The EFCC arrested her again when she tried to take a flight to London at the end of October, saying that they needed her to substantiate her recent accusations against them.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Jannamike |first=Luminous |date=2024-11-01 |title=Why Bobrisky was re-arrested, flown to Abuja - EFCC |url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2024/11/why-bobrisky-was-re-arrested-flown-to-abuja-efcc/ |location=Lagos, Nigeria|access-date=2025-07-08 |newspaper=Vanguard|language=en-GB}}</ref>
In mid-November 2024, Bobrisky sued the EFCC for violation of fundamental rights, including for failing to verify the authenticity of VeryDarkMan's audio recording before calling for public hearings about it that caused harm to her health and reputation.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Omosola |first=Friday |date=2024-11-17 |title=Bobrisky sues EFCC, N/Assembly, demands N1.2 billion, addresses leaked audio |url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/entertainment/naija-fashion/754889-bobrisky-sues-efcc-n-assembly-demands-n1-2-billion-addresses-leaked-audio.html |access-date=2025-07-08 |newspaper=Premium Times}}</ref> Bobrisky's lawsuit was dismissed by a Federal High Court in Lagos on 28 November 2024.<ref name="ogedegbe">{{cite web|url=https://newsexpressngr.com/news/244720/court-dismisses-bobriskys-fundamental-rights-suit-against-efcc|title=Court dismisses Bobrisky's fundamental rights suit against EFCC|last=Ogedegbe|first=Isaiah|publisher=NewsExpress Nigeria|access-date=2024-11-30|archive-date=2024-11-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241130141400/https://newsexpressngr.com/news/244720/court-dismisses-bobriskys-fundamental-rights-suit-against-efcc|url-status=dead}}</ref> Justice Alexander Owoeye ruled that Bobrisky's "claims of violation of fundamental rights" lacked merit and could not be supported by "credible evidence". Bobrisky’s saga also exposed flaws in the Nigerian justice system and how minorities often bear the brunt of it, since the EFCC had no substantial evidence to charge her in a court of law, leading to the case being dropped.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-10-12 |title=HOW THE BOBRISKY SAGA EXPOSED THE JUSTICE SYSTEM - Fairview Africa |url=https://fairviewafrica.com/how-the-bobrisky-saga-exposed-the-justice-system/ |access-date=2025-11-10 |language=en-US}}</ref>
In June 2025, Bobrisky criticised Nigerian senators for insufficient responses to the killings in Benue State, contrasting their lack of action with their previous investigations of her activities.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ekugbe |first=Gilbert |date=2025-06-16 |title=Bobrisky knocks senators over silence on Benue killings |url=https://punchng.com/bobrisky-knocks-senators-over-silence-on-benue-killings/ |access-date=2025-11-07 |newspaper=The Punch|language=en-US}}</ref>
== See also == * {{Annotated link|Abuja Area Mama}} * {{Annotated link|Fola Francis}} * {{Annotated link|Jay Boogie}} * {{Annotated link|Miss Sahhara}} * {{Annotated link|Noni Salma}} * {{Annotated link|James Brown (internet personality)}}
== References == {{Reflist}}
Category:1992 births Category:Living people Category:21st-century Nigerian LGBTQ people Category:King's College, Lagos alumni Category:Nigerian businesspeople in the entertainment industry Category:Nigerian transgender people Category:Nigerian transgender women Category:University of Lagos alumni