The House of Representatives Committee assigned to investigate allegations of corruption against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) is set to visit the Lagos offices of both agencies on Monday, October 21, 2024. This planned visit comes as part of a broader effort to gather firsthand information and assess the operational practices of these institutions amidst ongoing allegations of misconduct and corruption.
The inquiry by the committee is a demonstration of their commitment to transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s law enforcement and correctional systems. This investigation follows claims made by popular crossdresser Idris Okuneye, commonly known as Bobrisky, which were exposed in a phone conversation that was shared by social media influencer Martins Otse, who is also known as VeryDarkMan. The allegations have raised serious concerns regarding the integrity of both the EFCC and NCoS and their handling of cases involving influential figures.
Ginger Onwusibe, the Chairman of the committee, confirmed the upcoming visit and stressed the importance of collecting additional information related to the allegations. He noted that the committee is dedicated to uncovering the truth surrounding these claims to ensure that accountability is upheld within the involved agencies. Previously, on October 1, the panel conducted a questioning session with officials from both the EFCC and NCoS, as well as Otse, regarding allegations that Bobrisky had paid ₦15 million to have money laundering charges against him or her dropped, further intensifying the scrutiny surrounding the case.
The ongoing investigation reflects the committee’s commitment to exploring the serious allegations that have emerged and ensuring that appropriate measures are taken to address any wrongdoing that may be uncovered. Notably, Bobrisky was convicted on April 5, 2024, receiving a six-month prison sentence for naira abuse. After serving a portion of this sentence, he or she regained freedom on August 5, amid accusations of receiving preferential treatment while incarcerated. In light of these claims, the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, ordered an inquiry and subsequently suspended two senior officials at the Kirikiri custodial centers in Lagos for their alleged involvement in the situation.
During the earlier hearing, Otse presented an audio recording in which Bobrisky claimed that he or she had access to a private apartment during his imprisonment, purportedly after making a significant payment. This revelation has further fueled public interest in the case and the operations of the correctional system in Nigeria. Officials from the EFCC and NCoS have denied the allegations, maintaining that there has been no misconduct on their part. Following the initial revelations, Otse released a subsequent audio recording in which Bobrisky allegedly stated that he or she had paid ₦5 million to a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) to secure a federal pardon regarding money laundering charges, adding another layer of complexity to the investigation.
In the audio recording, Bobrisky reportedly stated, “I’m not in prison, but I’m around there… they got me an apartment because of my godfather,” implying that there may have been external influences affecting his or her treatment in custody. Initially, Otse hesitated to testify before the committee, insisting that Bobrisky should also publicly share his or her side of the story. After some negotiations, he agreed to cooperate with the committee’s investigation, on the condition that Bobrisky would also provide a public account of the situation.
Onwusibe, who represents the Isiala Ngwa North/Isiala Ngwa South Federal Constituency in Abia State, mentioned to Punch that Bobrisky would be invited for questioning following the committee’s visit to Lagos. He remarked, “We are visiting the correctional center in Lagos and the EFCC office in Lagos on Monday next week (October 21). After our visit, we shall resume hearing,” indicating the committee’s ongoing efforts to ensure a thorough examination of the allegations at hand.