A call recording by convicted cross-dresser Idris Okuneye (alias Bobrisky) released on Tuesday triggered more reactions yesterday.
Okuneye alleged in the recording that some unnamed Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) officers collected N15 million bribe to drop money laundering charges against him.
He said he was allowed to plead guilty to abuse of the naira, and that he spent his jail time in a private apartment rather than the Custodial centre.
EFCC on Tuesday ordered a probe, inviting Bobrisky and social media activist/influencer Martins Vincent Otse (a.k.a VeryDarkMan), who shared the call recording, to report at its headquarters to help the investigation.
In an Instagram post early yesterday, Bobrisky denied the allegations.
He wrote: “My attention has been drawn to a fake voice recording circulating on the internet that I paid EFCC 15 million naira, and that I was never in prison.
“I didn’t pay any EFCC money, which is a very big lie. I served my term in full, and I came out. Discard any false information.”
Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, ordered a comprehensive investigation into the allegations of bribery and corruption in the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS).
In a statement by his Special Adviser to the minister, Mr Babatunde Alao, the minister warned that any form of corruption would be met with severe consequences.
“The ministry will not tolerate any compromise on its core values of integrity, transparency, and accountability.
“We will leave no stone unturned in rooting out corruption and ensuring that those found culpable face the full wrath of the law,” Tunji-Ojo said.
In the audio, the voice purported to be Bobrisky’s was also heard saying that musician Folarin Falana, popularly known as Falz, offered to help him facilitate a presidential pardon for N10 million.
But Falz, in a letter to VeryDarkMan, demanded a retraction.
The letter, signed by Taiwo E. Olawanle of Falana & Falana’s Chambers, reads in part: “Or client never at any point initiated a conversation with Mr Okuneye.
“Our client has documentary evidence that Mr. Okuneye was in fact the one who initiated a call.
“On the 4th of May 2024, Mr Okuneye contacted our client requesting a phone conversation with him.
“Our client gratuitously obliged, having knowledge of the Naira abuse charges levelled against him, and genuinely believing he might require legal advice.
“Mr Okuneye called shortly after but instead of soliciting legal advice, stated that he was in distress and needed financial assistance of about N3million, which he claimed he needed to pay some officials to be permitted to stay in the VIP section of the Correctional Centre.
“Our client, in the same conversation, advised him that there was no need to pay officials of the Correctional Centre any money.
“However, Mr Okuneye stated that his lawyers had messed up his case by asking him to plead guilty to the charges filed against him.
“He insisted on his request for the money which our client continuously disapproved.”
Falz said the allegations implied that his posturing as a human rights activist was deceitful and false.
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), in a statement by its President Afam Osigwe (SAN), urged the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Office of the National Security Adviser, to investigate the claims.
“We also call upon them to independently investigate allegations that a convict paid a bribe to be allowed to serve prison time in a private residence instead of in a Correctional Facility, as well as the allegation that a bribe was demanded in exchange for a government pardon,” the association said.
Osigwe emphasised that while applying for a presidential pardon is a legal option, the process must be misconduct-free.
“It is important to note that the law allows convicts to apply for a presidential pardon under Section 175 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
“However, it is crucial to clarify that such a process must follow due procedure and be devoid of any form of influence peddling or unethical practices,” the NBA said.
