A fresh controversy has emerged surrounding the incarceration of popular Nigerian crossdresser Bobrisky, following allegations that he smuggled Automated Teller Machine (ATM) cards into Kirikiri Prison and bribed officials to secure VIP treatment during his time at the Kirikiri Correctional Facility in Lagos.

Chief Babalola Shabi, the Baale of Kirikiri Town and a well-known community leader, has accused officials of the Nigerian Correctional Service of facilitating Bobrisky’s VIP treatment during his prison sentence.

Shabi, also known locally as “Baale No-Nonsense,” claimed that the socialite smuggled eight ATM cards into the prison, using them to funnel a total of ₦35 million to prison officials in exchange for better living conditions.

The revelation came to light during a town hall meeting organized by the Lagos State Police Command on Saturday, as part of the events marking National Police Week.

According to Shabi, Bobrisky was not serving his sentence behind bars but had instead arranged to live in a private apartment outside the prison.

• Bobrisky Reveals Shocking Scammer Encounter

The alleged arrangement was reportedly facilitated by a criminal collaboration with prison officials, who helped with the transfer of funds.

“Before the truth came out, everyone believed he was in Kirikiri serving his time. But the reality is that Bobrisky was living comfortably outside the prison walls, thanks to a criminal collaboration involving some officials,” Shabi said.

The Baale further revealed that it was his intervention that exposed the alleged scam. He explained that he invited Point of Sale (POS) operators in the community to his palace, after which the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) launched an investigation.

The investigation traced the transactions and uncovered the ₦35 million that was funneled through POS vendors working with the prison officials.

“The ease with which the cash was sourced indicated a well-organized ring of collaborators,” Shabi added, expressing shock at how quickly such a large sum of money could be withdrawn.

Following the scandal, Shabi disclosed that both the Department of State Services (DSS) and the EFCC interrogated him about the incident.

He also revealed that the property where Bobrisky had been kept during his supposed incarceration had been identified and demolished.

Shabi’s account contradicts a previous report presented by a National Assembly panel, which suggested that while Bobrisky enjoyed preferential treatment, he had remained within the prison walls during his sentence.

However, according to Shabi, Bobrisky’s alleged VIP arrangement was kept hidden until the truth was uncovered.

Bobrisky, who was sentenced to six months in prison in 2024 for abusing the naira, was released in August 2024.

The controversy surrounding his incarceration has escalated with further claims by controversial social critic VeryDarkMan.

VeryDarkMan shared a voice note allegedly belonging to Bobrisky, in which he claimed to have paid ₦15 million to EFCC officials to have money laundering charges against him dropped.

In the audio, Bobrisky also reportedly acknowledged the role of a “godfather” and Nigerian Correctional Service staff in ensuring he served his sentence in a private apartment instead of the prison.