Martins Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan, a controversial social media influencer, recently attracted significant attention when he disclosed that he possesses a contentious audio recording involving popular cross-dresser Idris Okuneye, widely recognized as Bobrisky. This revelation came during a session held by the House of Representatives Joint Committee on Financial Crimes and Reformatory Institutions. VeryDarkMan initially hesitated to speak about the recording, especially in the absence of Bobrisky, who chose to send a lawyer instead of appearing personally. This absence did not sit well with the lawmakers, who challenged VeryDarkMan’s reluctance and moved to compel him to give his testimony about the audio evidence he had released, central to the ongoing allegations against Bobrisky.
Despite initial resistance, wherein he insisted that his lawyer would represent him, the pressure mounted as the committee threatened to employ legislative measures to enforce his attendance. Following advice from his legal counsel, VeryDarkMan eventually agreed to address the committee, individuals met with rigorous scrutiny from the lawmakers. He asserted the credibility of the audio recording, claiming it was obtained from an individual to whom Bobrisky allegedly owed a substantial sum of money. In an attempt to substantiate his claims, VeryDarkMan presented portions of the recording during the session, revealing that it purportedly includes Bobrisky admitting to bribing officials from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) with a hefty amount of N15 million to evade a money laundering charge.
The audio recording quickly gained traction, presenting a disturbing narrative in which Bobrisky purportedly confirms bribing prominent EFCC personnel. Within the recording, he also references having received favorable treatment during his incarceration, implying that a “godfather” figure and the Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Haliru Nababa, played crucial roles in ensuring his sentence was served in a private accommodation rather than a traditional prison setting. The gravity of these claims prompted immediate action from the EFCC, with spokesperson Dele Oyewale announcing that the Commission’s Chairman had instigated an urgent investigation into the accusations stemming from the recording.
In response, Bobrisky vehemently denied the allegations, asserting that he did not engage in any form of bribery with EFCC agents to circumvent his original legal troubles. He dismissed the content of the audio as fabricated, reiterating that he had indeed served his sentence and was not able to evade judicial consequences, as insinuated in the leaked recording. By asserting that the recording was inauthentic, Bobrisky sought to quell public speculation and discredit VeryDarkMan’s claims, emphasizing the need for the public to disregard what he labeled as misleading information.
As the situation escalated and drew more attention, the House of Representatives opted to launch an investigation into the bribery allegations involving both the EFCC and the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS). Following the submission of a motion by Patrick Umoh, a lawmaker from Akwa Ibom, the lower chamber decided it was vital to probe the implications of the allegations seriously. The lawmakers formally requested appearances from key figures associated with the controversy—Bobrisky, VeryDarkMan, and Haliru Nababa, among others—along with any officials implicated in the unfolding scandal, setting the stage for potential hearings and discussions that would unpack the deeper issues surrounding corruption and accountability within Nigerian institutions.
This ongoing saga represents a significant intersection of social media influence, celebrity culture, and the judicial system in Nigeria. The implications of VeryDarkMan’s revelations reach beyond mere gossip; they underscore critical discussions about corruption, power dynamics, and the credibility of institutional authority in the government’s fight against financial crimes. As investigations gather momentum, both the public and the legal systems are poised to confront broader issues related to trust, legitimacy, and the pervasive nature of social media in shaping narratives and public perceptions surrounding legal matters, particularly in the digital age where rumors can spread rapidly and profoundly impact reputations and careers.
