EFCC transfers Bobrisky to Abuja for interrogation

Controversial social media personality and crossdresser Idris Okuneye, also known as Bobrisky, who was re-arrested on Thursday night, will face interrogation on alleged bribery and corruption in Abuja. The Bobrisky saga has become a major distraction for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as it plays the ostrich while major financial crimes against the Nigerian state slips through its unstable grips. Examples include the Binance heist and the allegation of the theft of N80billion of Kogi State money by the former governor which prosecutions the EFCC seem to continually mismanage thereby necessitating diplomatic intervention in the case of the former. READ ALSO: YAHAYA BELLO AND THE EFCC SAGE Bobrisky, according to an official of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, would be flown to Abuja today (Friday). The embattled crossdresser was stopped and removed from an Amsterdam-bound KLM flight at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos and detained by immigration officers late Thursday night while attempting to leave the country for London, the United Kingdom. The popular cross-dresser posted on his Instagram page to alert followers about the arrest, stating that he had sustained injuries during an altercation with the immigration officers. Bobrisky alleged that the EFCC was responsible for his detention. He wrote, “Nigerians help me, EFCC just arrested me. I’m badly injured.” However, according to sources, his arrest was due to his failure to honour several invitations by the commission following his allegations against the EFCC. Bobrisky had, in a voice note shared by a controversial social critic, Martins Otse, aka VeryDarkMan, allegedly said he bribed EFCC officers with N15m to drop money laundering charges against him. Although the EFCC denied the allegations, it set up a committee to investigate the matter. At a press briefing on Thursday, the Director of Public Affairs, Wilson Uwajaren, had hinted that Bobrisky could face a fresh charge from the commission if the allegations against the EFCC were false. Uwujaren stated that one could be charged for giving false information to the EFCC, let alone making false allegations against the commission. However, a top source in the commission said on Friday that Bobrisky was picked up to prove his allegations against the EFCC. The source said, “We have arrested him in Lagos today and will be flown to Abuja today. He accused us of bribery and corruption; we invited him severally, but he did not show up. He who alleges must be ready to prove. Those allegations are too weighty to allow slide. “Also, remember that he has also refused to show up at the National Assembly on the matter. We are left with no other choice than to pick him up so that he can substantiate his claims. And that is what we have done. “ When contacted on Friday morning, the EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, confirmed Bobrisky’s arrest. “Bobrisky is on his way to Abuja as we speak,“ he added.

Bobrisky: House of Representatives To Investigate EFCC and Correctional Service on October 21

The House of Representatives Committee will investigate corruption allegations involving the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) during a visit to their Lagos offices on October 21, 2024.  The probe stems from accusations made by the crossdresser Idris Okuneye, known as Bobrisky, who claims he paid N15 million to have money laundering charges against him dropped. The investigation follows Bobrisky’s conviction for naira abuse on April 5, 2024, resulting in a six-month prison sentence.  He was released on August 5, amid claims of receiving preferential treatment while incarcerated.  The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, ordered an investigation into the matter, leading to the suspension of two Deputy Controllers of Corrections from their posts at the Kirikiri custodial facilities. Recent testimony by social media influencer Martins Otse revealed recorded conversations in which Bobrisky purportedly claimed he did not serve time in a prison but rather stayed in a private apartment.  Bobrisky allegedly stated that he was granted this arrangement due to influence from a “godfather” who intervened on his behalf. Otse also shared additional audio in which Bobrisky mentioned paying N5 million to a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) to seek a Federal Government pardon for the money laundering charges, although the SAN initially requested N10 million.  The discussions raised questions about the integrity of the legal and correctional systems. Following the committee’s visit to Lagos, they plan to summon Bobrisky for questioning.  The committee’s chair, Ginger Onwusibe, indicated that a date for this hearing would be set after the visit. ReplyForwardAdd reaction

Falana Dismisses Claims of Charging for Pardon Letters

Issues a 24-hour ultimatum for a retraction of the false statements associating him with Bobrisky Renowned human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, has reiterated that he never demands payment for writing letters of pardon. The learned silk emphasizes that throughout his 42-year legal career, his practice is rooted in the pursuit of justice, not financial profit. Falana clarified that he does not charge fees for interventions in cases of injustice.  He highlighted several instances where he provided legal assistance without financial gain, including securing the release of six Nigerians wrongfully detained in Kirikiri Correctional Centre. The lawyer addressed recent claims linking him to a N10 million pardon request for Bobrisky, describing the allegations as baseless.  He maintained that his integrity remains intact, assuring his family and the public of his commitment to justice. In response to the allegations, Falana issued a 24-hour ultimatum for a retraction of the false statements associating him with Bobrisky.

Bobrisky/EFCC Investigation: HoR bars media coverage

The House of Representatives has prohibited journalists from covering the investigation into the N15 million corruption accusations involving the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Nigerian Correctional Services (NCS) related to the prosecution of Bobrisky.   This decision follows an earlier invitation extended to the press to report on the proceedings.   The Joint Committees on Financial Crimes and Reformatory Services of the House of Representatives has officially informed the House press corps that reporting on the investigation into serious corruption claims involving the EFCC and NCS in the Bobrisky case is prohibited.