The House of Representatives Committee tasked with probing corruption allegations against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Nigeria Correctional Service has announced plans to visit their Lagos offices on Monday, October 21, 2024.
This development comes in response to allegations made by Idris Okuneye, better known as Bobrisky, which surfaced through a recorded phone conversation obtained by social media influencer Martins Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan.
Chairman of the committee, Ginger Onwusibe, confirmed to The PUNCH on Monday that the visit to Lagos was part of the ongoing investigation into these claims.
Earlier, on October 1, the panel interrogated officials from the EFCC, the NCoS, and Otse over accusations that Okuneye paid N15 million to have money laundering charges against him dropped.
These charges stemmed from a conviction on April 5, 2024, when Bobrisky was sentenced to six months in prison by the Federal High Court in Lagos for naira abuse.
Despite being sentenced, Bobrisky was released on August 5, 2024, amid widespread allegations that he had received special treatment while incarcerated.
Following these claims, the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, ordered an investigation into the matter and immediately suspended two senior correctional officials including the Deputy Controller of Corrections in charge of the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Michael Anugwa, and the Deputy Controller of the Maximum Security Custodial Centre,Sikiru Adekunle, both in Kirikiri, Lagos.
During the investigative hearing, Otse presented an audio recording in which Bobrisky allegedly revealed that he never actually spent time in prison but was instead housed in a private apartment, thanks to a large payment.
Otse stated that, according to Bobrisky, “he never spent a single night in prison after parting with a significant sum of money.”
EFCC and NCoS officials, who were also present at the hearing, denied the allegations of bribery or preferential treatment.
Shortly after his appearance before the panel, Otse released yet another audio, this time with Bobrisky allegedly discussing a bribe attempt involving a Senior Advocate of Nigeria.
According to the recording, Bobrisky claimed he had paid N5 million as part of an N10 million deal with the SAN, intended to secure a Federal Government pardon related to his money laundering charges.
He explained that he couldn’t raise the full amount at once because his accounts had been frozen by the EFCC.
In the audio, Bobrisky is heard saying, “Truth be told, I won’t lie to you, you’re my person. I’m not in prison, but I’m around there. They got me an apartment because of my godfather. My godfather was able to say, Never, you will not smell that prison. Let the world think that, but you will never.”
He further elaborated on the arrangement, stating, “He was able to talk to the Deputy Controller who said that as long as Bob is not posting or saying anything, they can put me close to the place so I can always come inside and see people, and welcome my family. Nobody needs to know.”
Bobrisky also hinted at the possibility of early release, “I’m supposed to finish my sentence by July, but if we get the amnesty, I could leave by the first week of next month. The SAN asked for N10m, which I could have transferred, but my account is frozen. My godfather gave me N5m and we sent it to the SAN two weeks ago. He has already submitted the pardon request.”
The committee proceedings took an unexpected turn when VeryDarkMan, before answering any questions, demanded that Bobrisky also be summoned for a public hearing to respond to the allegations.
His refusal to speak sparked drama during the session, with his lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, and the committee members pleading with him.
Eventually, VeryDarkMan agreed to testify after receiving assurances that Bobrisky would also be called upon to speak publicly.
When asked about when Bobrisky might be invited to give his side of the story, Chairman Onwusibe indicated that a date would be fixed once the committee completes its investigative trip to Lagos.
He said, “We are visiting the correctional centre in Lagos and the EFCC office in Lagos on Monday next week (October 21). After our visit, we shall resume hearing.”