…says corruption is an insidious plague to societies
By Joy Odor
The House of Representatives Joint Committee on Monday wade into the disturbing N15 million bribery allegations of corruption against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Nigeria Correctional Services (NCS) by Mr. Okuneye Idris Olarenwaju, a popular Nigerian cross dresser also known as Bobrisky and mandated the NCS to provide CCTV footage of Bobrisky’s prison stay.
The Joint Committee Chairman, Hon Ginger Onwusibe in his address during the public hearing at the National Assembly issued the directive for the CCTV footage after hearing about Bobrisky’s transfer from the Medium Correctional Centre to the Maximum Correctional Centre in Ikoyi after 10 days.
According to him, the danger of corruption in any public agencies cannot be overemphasized, for it can result in financial losses; damage to employee morale; damage to its reputation, and lead to focus and resources being diverted away from delivering core statutory rules and services to the country.
Ginger affirmed that corruption is an insidious plague that has a wide range of corrosive effects on societies. It undermines democracy and the rule of law and leads to violations of decent societal values.
He maintained that widespread corruption deters investment, weakens economic growth, undermines the rule of law and public trust in authority, which can lead to civil unrest and unnecessary political dislocations and tensions.
The investigation began after a leaked audio recording suggested that Bobrisky paid N15 million to the EFCC to drop money laundering charges against him.
“Today, we seek thorough probe into these allegations of corruption in the Nigerian Correctional Service and the EFCC; an unconditional and comprehensive investigation into these damning allegations.
“You will agree with me that these allegations are reprehensible behaviour, highest form of indiscipline, unprofessionalism, which must be confronted with absolute zero-tolerance and severe consequences for the would-be culprits.
“Therefore, our job as a committee is to engage in unconditional and comprehensive investigations of the allegations specified above.
“It was reported that during his recent incarceration, Mr. Okuneye Idris Olarenwaju (Bobrisky) was allegedly given separate accommodation outside the facility of Nigerian Correctional Service due to financial inducements of some personnel of the Nigerian Correctional Service.
“It was also reported that some EFCC operatives demanded the sum of ₦15 Million Naira as a bribe to give Mr. Okuneye Idris Olarenwaju (Bobrisky) what is termed, ‘soft landing’ in his case. Worthy to note again, is another financial inducement of an alleged ₦10 Million Naira to the Falanas in their offer to Mr. Okuneye Idris Olarenwaju (Bobrisky) to facilitate his release through the Minister of Justice using Presidential pardon.
“Flowing from the above it is very clear that these allegations of corruption are weighty controversy against two of the nation’s key agencies, that are symbols of national integrity, honour and discipline, hence we all must be ready to give the fullest cooperation as we try to get to the root cause or unravel the facts of the matter.
“Fellow Nigerians, you may agree with me that this development is very dangerous to the image of our country and democracy among the comity of nations, which calls for careful investigation, diligent analysis, and sober reflection.
“In the course of our work and looking sincerely at terms of reference, we should be able to expose corrupt activities and risks; need to keep the public sector honest, transparent and accountable; curb dishonest practices; and ensure public sector employees act in the public interest” he said.
But the Committee, not satisfied with the explanation by a Deputy Controller General of NCS, Michael Benson in charge of the Medium Correctional Centre disclosed this in his presentation.
Hon. Ginger queried the NCS if it was in their tradition to receive donations from inmates serving terms in their facility, to which they answered no.
Earlier in his submission at the hearing, VeryDarkMan after initially declining to testify before the Committee due to the absence of Bobrisky, however, agreed to testify after intervention from members of the committee and in consultation with his lawyer.
VeryDarkMan had released an audio where Bobrisky, purportedly claimed he bribed officials of the EFCC with N15 million in exchange for dropping money laundering charges against him.
In the audio, Bobrisky also claimed he avoided serving his six-month jail sentence at Kirikiri Prison in Lagos.
Following this, the House of Representatives summoned VeryDarkMan, Bobrisky, and EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede to appear before it but, Martins Vincent Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan, was present, along with representatives from the EFCC and NCS while Bobrisky was noticeably absent.
Bobrisky, whose real name is Idris Okuneye, was sentenced to six months in prison for Naira abuse but allegedly didn’t serve his full sentence.
VeryDarkMan informed that he stood by the claims in the earlier video recording regarding Bobrisky and submitted some evidence including voice recording, chats, and bank transactions to the committee to support his allegations.
