Nigerian socialite and transgender influencer Okuneye Idris Olanrewaju, popularly known as Bobrisky, has been making headlines once again, but this time, for her courageous journey through gender transition and some notable legal troubles. As 2024 nears its end, Bobrisky has shared insights into the challenges she faced while undergoing several surgeries, including one that lasted 16 hours.
In a heartfelt message of gratitude, Bobrisky expressed her thanks to the doctors who assisted her through her transition. She revealed that following one of her surgeries, she was unable to pee for two months a remarkable and painful recovery ordeal. Despite the challenges, Bobrisky proudly reflects on her transition, stating, “I look at myself and clap for myself for going under different knives successfully.”
The 32-year-old socialite’s openness about her surgery led to a fan asking if she had undergone gender-affirming surgery, to which she responded affirmatively, confirming that she had “cut ‘it’.” This statement highlights Bobrisky’s continued embrace of her identity as a woman, which she has been vocal about for years. Her unapologetic embrace of her transgender identity has been a source of inspiration and controversy alike, particularly within the conservative Nigerian society.
Bobrisky’s personal struggles, however, have been compounded by legal issues in 2024. Earlier in the year, she found herself in the spotlight for abusing the Nigerian Naira at an event. In April, she was arrested for spraying money at a public gathering, an act considered illegal in Nigeria. The incident led to her arrest, and later, a conviction on four counts of currency abuse at the Federal High Court in Lagos. Although Bobrisky pleaded guilty, her defense lawyer, Ayo Olumofin, argued that she should be treated as a first-time offender, leading to a six-month jail sentence.
However, the case took another dramatic turn when allegations of bribery surfaced. Two senior Nigerian prison officials were suspended following accusations that they had accepted bribes to dismiss money laundering charges against Bobrisky. Furthermore, Bobrisky allegedly paid a sum of $9,000 to EFCC officials to have charges dropped, as reported by social media influencer Martins Otse (VeryDarkMan). The rumors suggested that Bobrisky secured special treatment during her imprisonment, including a private apartment near the prison.
Bobrisky, however, denied these allegations in an Instagram post, stating, “I didn’t pay any EFCC money, which is a very big lie. I served my term in full, and I came out.” Despite the controversies, she remains defiant, continuing to build her brand while navigating personal and legal hurdles. As 2024 comes to a close, Bobrisky’s journey through both surgery and legal issues serves as a reminder of the complexities that come with fame, identity, and the law in contemporary Nigeria.
