Bobrisky saga: FG orders investigation into bribery scandal in Correctional service
…Femi Falana denies having conversation with Bobrisky; demands retraction, apology from VDM
…VeryDarkMan denies defaming Falz’s father, Femi Falana
By Seun Ibiyemi
Following the bribery allegations raised against the Nigeria Correctional Service by Martins Vincent Otse known as VeryDarkMan, the Federal government through the Minister of Interior, Hon. (Dr.) Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has directed an unconditional and comprehensive investigation into the allegations of bribery and corruption within the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS).
In a media statement made available to NewsDirect, Dr. Olubunmi unequivocally condemned the alleged reprehensible behaviour, emphasising that any form of indiscipline, unprofessionalism, and corruption will be met with zero tolerance and severe consequences within the paramilitary services under the Ministry’s purview.
“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,” Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo said.
The Minister has called for a special investigative team headed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, to probe these allegations and submit a comprehensive report.
The Minister reassured the public that the investigation will be rigorous, transparent, and impartial, and that appropriate disciplinary actions will be taken against any personnel found guilty.
Recall that barely a month after Bobrisky was released, VeryDarkMan posted on his Instagram page, Tuesday, a leaked audio of the crossdresser narrating what transpired during his six-month jail term.
In the audio, Bobrisky can be heard discussing with a friend how the EFCC collected N15 million from him to drop the money laundering charges.
VeryDarkMan released the audio after Bobrisky refused to repay N4 million to one of the people he approached for the N15 million he reportedly paid EFCC.
In the leaked conversation, the crossdresser was heard speaking with a friend, saying, “You know I’m a very big influencer. I have over 5 million followers on Instagram and Facebook, and Facebook pays me every month. Despite that, they (EFCC) claimed I couldn’t afford the [N150m] house I live in. EFCC charged me with money laundering and took me to court. We pleaded with them, asking how much it would cost to drop the money laundering charges, and EFCC said N15 million.
“I couldn’t use my account because I’m still under investigation and can’t withdraw or transfer funds. So, I called a few friends. One of them was Elele, and I asked him which account I should use to send the money. I gave him my brother’s account, and he transferred N8 million. I also called Demola in the US, and he immediately sent N1 million. Other people I trust sent money in, and we gathered the full amount (N15m); we gave them the money, and they (the EFCC) dropped the money laundering charge and took me to court for Naira abuse.”
In the leaked audio, Bobrisky claimed that he was framed after receiving his infamous ‘Best Dressed Female’ award at the premiere of actress Eniola Ajao’s movie, ‘Beast of Two Worlds.’
He admitted to pleading guilty in court, believing he would receive a fine or perform community service. However, he said he was sentenced due to his guilty plea.
Additionally, the crossdresser revealed that after his sentencing, his godfather, in conjunction with the Controller General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, arranged for him to serve his six-month sentence in a private apartment.
Bobrisky narrated further, “The whole issue started when they gave me the Best Dressed Female award. There’s jealousy involved, and when I got to court, I admitted guilt, hoping for either a fine or community service. However, the court sentenced me. On my way to prison, my Godfather called and assured me I wouldn’t enter prison. He told me not to worry and said he would arrange an apartment near the prison and speak to the Comptroller General of Prisons in Abuja.
“After they spoke, I was taken back and brought to an apartment where I was told not to come out until I finished my sentence. They informed the guy at the apartment that their boss instructed them to keep me there and not to let me leave. The guy said he’d collect N10 million, so I had to call Elele again. Elele gave me N2 million because there was no one else to call.”
…EFCC invites VDM, Bobrisky to assist investigators
Meanwhile, reacting to the allegation, the EFCC boss Ola Olukoyede, in a statement made available to Nigerian NewsDirecct, ordered an immediate investigation into the bribery allegations imputed to some commission officers.
Olukoyede further invited Bobrisky and VeryDarkMan to make themselves available at its Lagos Directorate to assist investigators in unearthing the alleged bribery.
The statement read in part: “Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr Ola Olukoyede, has ordered an immediate investigation of alleged bribery allegations imputed to some officers of the Commission by Idris Okuneye(a.ka.a Bobrisky) in a viral video circulating across the country.
“Okuneye, an ex-convict, had alleged in the video powered by Martins Vincent Otse ( a.k.a VeryDarkMan) that some unnamed officers of the EFCC collected the sum of N15,000,000 ( Fifteen Million Naira only) from him to drop money laundering charges against him.
“In a swift reaction, the EFCC’s boss has constituted a Team of Investigators to examine the allegations critically. To this end, the Commission invites Okuneye and Otse to make themselves available at its Lagos Directorate to assist investigators unearth the alleged bribery.”
The anti-graft agency assured the public that the allegations would be thoroughly investigated and the result of the findings would be made public
Bobrisky’s response
Meanwhile, Bobrisky, in a Facebook post on Wednesday, refuted the allegations in the leaked audio and denied bribing the EFCC officials.
The crossdresser tagged the viral audio as ‘fake’ and confirmed that he served his six-month jail term at Kirikiri Correctional Centre.
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; it is a very big lie. I served my term in full and I came out. Discard any false information.
“Imagine believing someone that came out publicly to tell us that you paid hàcker to track someone’s phone, which is against the law, can be desperate to do anything at this point. I didn’t give EFCC any money.”
…Femi Falana denies having conversation with Bobrisky; demands retraction, apology from VDM
Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has reacted to the allegations made against him and his son, Folarin Falana, better known as Falz.
Reacting to the allegation, a statement was released from the chambers of the Senior Advocate of Nigeria on behalf of himself and his son.
In a letter dated September 25 and released by his legal representative, Taiwo Olawanle, Falana described the allegation as a “vicious, wicked, and reckless ploy to impugn his reputation.” The senior lawyer said he has never spoken to Bobrisky on his alleged pardon or any matter whatsoever.
The legal expert demanded an immediate retraction of the said publication as well as an apology from VeryDarkMan to be published in all his platforms within 24 hours.
“The entire publication was a vicious, wicked and reckless ploy to impugn the reputation of our client and lower him in the estimation of right-thinking members of the public. We wish to state, without any fear of contradiction, that our client has never, in his life, spoken to Bobrisky on his alleged pardon or on any matter whatsoever.
“We, therefore, demand immediate retraction of the offensive and derogatory publication as well as an apology prominently published in all the platforms to which you have disseminated it without any justification whatsoever.
“Be advised that if we do not receive your formal retraction and apology as demanded within 24 (twenty-four) hours of the receipt hereof, we shall proceed with our client’s instructions to seek appropriate legal remedies, including monetary damages, against you for your incendiary publication and dissemination of defamatory statements,” part of the letter read.
…VeryDarkMan denies defaming Falz’s father, Femi Falana
In response to the legal threat from Falz, activist VeryDarkMan has come forward to deny accusations of defamation against his father, Femi Falana.
In response, VDM’s lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, issued a statement asserting that the activist denies defaming Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, whom he holds in high regard.
VDM explained that he released the audio recordings to prompt a thorough investigation by the relevant authorities into Bobrisky’s allegations, with some details reportedly confirmed by Falz.
The letter read in part: “Our client denies defaming Mr. Femi Falana, SAN, a renowned Senior Advocate of Nigeria and globally recognised human rights activist, but asserts that he only published the said communication with a view to getting the relevant agencies, and even your client, to initiate a thorough investigation into the far reaching allegations made by Mr. Okuneye in the said voice recording, especially as some element of the voice recording has been confirmed by Mr. Folarin Falana in his solicitor’s letter of September 25, 2024.”
