Police: Why we can’t arrest Bobrisky

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has revealed why it cannot arrest crossdressers like Bobrisky.

Born Okuneye Idris Olanrewaju, Bobrisky, the self-proclaimed transgender and crossdresser, has always been in the news for controversial reasons.

The social media celebrity claimed to be Nigeria’s first transgender. She once admitted to having severed her genitals.

There have been calls for her arrest, with the most recent coming after she controversially won the ‘best dressed female’ category at a Nollywood event.

Speaking in a recent interview on Channels TV, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the police spokesperson, said the force cannot arrest crossdressers based on physical appearance.

The police public relations officer (PPRO) added that crossdressing is not yet a punishable offence in Nigeria.

He said a crossdresser can only be prosecuted if they are “into something else that is criminal and punishable under the law”.

The police spokesperson also asked those seeking prosecution for crossdressers to come forward with “solid evidence”.

“There are some cases that are always very difficult to prove. Fine, I am not really denying the fact that we have many of them. But, for instance, if you want to prove a case of rape, rape has points to prove,” Adejobi said.

“If anyone of those points is missing you may lose your case in court. Let us be reasonable. You cannot arrest somebody, you want to prosecute without having such credible evidence against such a person.”

When asked if crossdressing is an offence in Nigeria, he replied: “I do not think so. I have not read anywhere that it is an offence per se. But for some of them that are into cross-dressing, the allegation is that they are into something else, unnatural offences.

“That is where the problem lies. We need to have enough proof, credible evidence to prove that they are actually into that. All those offences are natural offences in Nigeria and are punishable under our law,” he added.

“If you dress, fine, you want to enjoy your liberty. But if you are into something else that is criminal, unnatural offences. Many people have been saying that, but let us have enough evidence to nail the individual who is into that dirty thing, law will take its course.”

In April 2022, the house of representatives considered a bill seeking to prohibit crossdressing in Nigeria.

The bill aims to amend the Same-Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act (SSMPA) and defines crossdressing as the “practice of wearing clothes usually worn by a person of the opposite sex”.

The proposed amendment, however, provided an exception that the clauses “shall not apply to crossdressing in the course of a stage play or in any bona fide public entertainment”.

When passed into law, crossdressers may face up to six months in jail if they continue with their current practice.

Bobrisky had in 2020 revealed that she opted for crossdressing to make ends meet after 25 years of being a man.

In September 2021, the social media celebrity also talked about some of the perks she enjoys being a “woman”.