The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Lagos State apprehended the well-known cross-dresser, Okuneye Idris Olanrewaju, popularly known as Bobrisky, on Wednesday evening, as confirmed by the agency’s spokesperson, Mr. Dele Oyewale, in a conversation with SaharaReporters on Thursday morning.
According to Oyewale, Bobrisky was detained due to allegations of mutilating naira notes, not because of his identity as a cross-dresser.
“It is accurate that our operatives apprehended him yesterday evening in Lagos for the improper handling of naira notes. We do not have any concerns regarding his lifestyle (as a cross-dresser). He was suspected of engaging in economic malpractice, which prompted his arrest,” Oyewale clarified.
Bobrisky’s arrest occurred shortly after the Nigeria Police Force declared its inability to apprehend him for alleged involvement in same-sex activities.
Despite calls for Bobrisky’s arrest, particularly after social media influencer and blogger, Martins Vincent Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan, criticized the Best Dressed Female award presented to Bobrisky at a Nollywood event, the Police Force stated that cross-dressers cannot be arrested as there is no law against cross-dressing in Nigeria.
Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Ademola, informed Channels TV that there is insufficient evidence to support the claim that cross-dressers are part of the LGBTQ+ community or that they engage in same-sex activities.
Ademola emphasized the need for credible evidence to prosecute individuals, pointing out that cross-dressing is not an offense under Nigerian law. He referenced the Same-Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act signed into law in 2014 by then-President Goodluck Jonathan, which criminalizes public displays of affection between same-sex couples and imposes severe penalties for same-sex marriage contracts or civil unions, as well as for those who support or participate in same-sex relationships or organizations.