The House of Representatives has launched an investigation into allegations of bribery involving the controversial Nigerian cross-dresser, Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, and officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS). This comes after a leaked voice note from social media influencer Martins Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan, accused Bobrisky of bribing officials to avoid serving his six-month sentence in prison.
The Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire, and Immigration Services Board also took immediate action, suspending two senior prison controllers linked to the case. In a statement, Ja’afaru Ahmed, the Secretary of the Board, confirmed, “Following the viral video trending on social media on alleged infractions by officers of the Nigerian Correctional Service relating to Mr. Idris Okuneye, widely known as Bobrisky, the board has suspended forthwith the following senior officers of the service: Michael Anugwa, Deputy Controller of Corrections, Kirikiri Medium Custodial Centre, Lagos State, and Sikiru Adekunle, DCC, Kirikiri Lagos State.”
The leaked audio allegedly reveals that Bobrisky’s “godfather, in collaboration with the Controller General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, arranged for him to serve his sentence in a private apartment.” This allegation has raised serious concerns about corruption within Nigeria’s justice system.
The House of Representatives swiftly moved to adopt a motion for urgent public importance, sponsored by Patrick Umoh, a lawmaker from Akwa Ibom State. Umoh expressed his deep concern over the allegations, stating, “We are disturbed about the damning allegations against Nigerian critical law enforcement agencies, the EFCC and the NCS. The publication alleges that Bobrisky was lodged outside the confines of the correctional service upon his conviction.”
Tajudeen Abbas**, presiding over the plenary session, referred the motion to the Committees on Financial Crimes and Reformatory Institutions, instructing them to report their findings within three legislative weeks. The investigation is expected to shine a spotlight on both the EFCC and NCS, with implications for law enforcement integrity in Nigeria.
