Michael Anugwa, the Deputy Controller of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), has denied claims of his suspension following allegations of accepting a bribe from popular crossdresser Bobrisky. Anugwa, who oversees the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Kirikiri, Lagos, where Bobrisky served time earlier this year, addressed the issue while appearing before the House of Representatives committee investigating the matter.
Bobrisky had been sentenced to four months in prison in April 2024 for misuse of the naira. However, an audio recording leaked by social media critic, VeryDarkMan, suggested that Bobrisky paid N15 million to correctional officers to serve his sentence in a private apartment instead of prison. The recording further alleged that singer Falz contacted Bobrisky, offering a presidential pardon through his father, human rights lawyer Femi Falana, for an additional N10 million.
Despite the public outcry, Anugwa has denied receiving any official notice of suspension, calling reports of his dismissal mere “social media speculation.” Earlier, the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, had announced the suspension of Anugwa and another official during a press briefing.
The investigation into the alleged bribery scandal continues as authorities work to determine the extent of corruption within the correctional services.
