The House of Representatives Committee is set to investigate allegations of corruption involving the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS), with planned visits to the agency’s Lagos offices on October 21, 2024. The impetus for this inquiry stems from a recorded telephone conversation involving Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, alleged by social media influencer Martins Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan. The committee, led by Chairman Ginger Onwusibe, has already begun discussions with officials from the EFCC and NCoS, focusing particularly on claims that Okuneye allegedly paid N15 million to drop money laundering charges against him.
Bobrisky’s legal troubles escalated when he was convicted on April 5, 2024, by the Federal High Court in Lagos and sentenced to six months in prison for the abuse of the Nigerian currency. Following his release on August 5, 2024, questions arose about the conditions of his incarceration, including allegations of preferential treatment while in custody. The situation prompted Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo to institute an investigation and suspended two Deputy Controllers of Corrections overseeing the Kirikiri Custodial Centre in Lagos. The committee’s inquiries have already exposed significant discrepancies regarding the treatment of Bobrisky in detention.
During the hearings, Otse revealed an audio recording in which Bobrisky professedly admitted to not actually serving time in a prison cell, opting instead for a private apartment during his incarceration. Otse’s testimony claimed that substantial payments had facilitated this arrangement, suggesting that corruption was at play in Bobrisky’s treatment. Meanwhile, officials from both the EFCC and NCoS vehemently denied any wrongdoing or complicity in these claims, complicating the investigation’s trajectory.
Following Otse’s compelling evidence, he released another recording where Bobrisky allegedly divulged details about his attempts to secure a Federal Government pardon. According to the audio, he stated that he initially engaged a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) who requested N10 million for his legal services. However, due to his accounts being frozen by the EFCC, Bobrisky could only muster N5 million, which he managed to source from his godfather. In a twist of irony, he added that he was metaphorically “close” to a prison rather than actually incarcerated, further complicating the narrative surrounding his case.
Before he provided his testimony, Otse demanded equivalent accountability from Bobrisky, insisting that the controversial figure should also face media scrutiny, a request that eventually led to some back-and-forth. Otse initially resisted questions from the investigative panel, stating that he would only speak if Bobrisky were to be similarly interrogated publicly. This led to discussions among the committee to ensure a fair process where Bobrisky, who allegedly instigated the controversy, would also be invited to unveil his side. Onwusibe addressed concerns and indicated that arrangements for summoning Bobrisky would follow after the Lagos visit.
The upcoming trip by the House Committee symbolizes a significant step in addressing corruption allegations against influential bodies within the Nigerian governance framework, such as the EFCC and NCoS. The committee aims to gather first-hand information from both agencies on the conduct of their personnel concerning the Bobrisky case, hoping to establish a clear understanding of events and the assertions made by both sides. Once the investigative team completes its visit, resumption of the hearings is expected, potentially shedding further light on a case that has garnered widespread media attention and public interest.
