The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS) has denied allegations that popular social media personality, Idris Okuneye, better known as Bobrisky, served his sentence outside the Kirikiri custodial facility in Lagos due to bribery. This was revealed during an investigative hearing by the House of Representatives Joint Committees on Monday, probing allegations of corruption against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the NCS regarding Bobrisky’s prosecution.
Micheal Beson Anukwa, Deputy Controller in charge of the Maximum Correctional Centre in Kirikiri, testified before the Committee, firmly denying the claim that Bobrisky was held in an apartment outside the correctional facility. He explained that Bobrisky was moved from the medium to the maximum security facility for safety reasons, emphasizing that the transgender celebrity could not be housed with other inmates due to his feminine features, such as breasts and hips.
“Bobrisky’s case was a special one due to his transgender status,” Anukwa stated. “We had to treat him accordingly for his own safety.”
These allegations surfaced following an audio recording released by social media influencer Martins Otse, popularly known as Very Dark Man, in which it was claimed that Bobrisky bribed NCS personnel to avoid serving his time in the facility. The recording also alleged that the EFCC dropped money laundering charges against Bobrisky in exchange for a bribe.
During the hearing, the EFCC representative, Bilikisu Buhari, clarified that the money laundering charges were dropped based on Bobrisky’s confessional statement in court regarding naira abuse. She asserted that no financial inducement was involved in the decision, adding, “It is within our power to amend charges, and all actions taken were in line with the core values of the commission.”
The Chief of Staff to the EFCC Chairman supported Buhari’s statement, also refuting the bribery allegations.
Very Dark Man, the whistleblower behind the allegations, informed the Committee that the audio recording was provided by someone who had borrowed N4 million from Bobrisky. He added that more evidence would be presented in future hearings.
Bobrisky’s lawyer, Averosoghene Omuvwie, told the Committee that his client could not attend the hearing due to illness, a claim that was met with disapproval. The Committee insisted that Bobrisky must appear at the next hearing and also demanded that the individual who made the audio recording be present.
