In a swift response to allegations of bribery, the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has directed the immediate investigation of claims made by popular Nigerian crossdresser and socialite, Idris Okuneye, also known as Bobrisky. The allegations, which surfaced in a viral video, accuse some unnamed officers of the commission of demanding a N15 million bribe to drop charges related to money laundering.
In the video, shared by activist and social media influencer Martins Vincent Otse (a.k.a. VeryDarkMan), Bobrisky claimed that the officers had approached him during his trial and suggested that they would drop the charges against him if he paid the sum. According to Bobrisky, the bribe was eventually paid, but the officers in question did not honor their side of the deal. This accusation, coming after Bobrisky completed a six-month jail term for money laundering, has sparked widespread public interest and calls for accountability.
Dele Oyewale, the EFCC’s spokesperson, in a statement released shortly after the video gained traction, announced that Chairman Olukoyede had constituted a special investigative team to critically examine the allegations. The EFCC also extended an invitation to both Bobrisky and Otse, requesting them to present themselves at the EFCC’s Lagos office to provide further details and assist in the investigation.
“The EFCC wishes to assure the public that these allegations will be thoroughly investigated, and the results of the findings will be made public,” Oyewale said, reiterating the agency’s dedication to transparency. He further emphasized the EFCC’s core values of integrity, courage, professionalism, and collaboration, assuring that any officers found culpable will face the full wrath of the law.
Bobrisky, known for his controversial lifestyle, had earlier been convicted for abusing the Naira by spraying the currency notes at a public event, a violation of Nigerian laws that prohibit such actions. His prosecution, handled by the EFCC, led to a six-month sentence at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre, which he recently completed. The money laundering allegations, for which the supposed bribe was allegedly paid, were connected to Bobrisky’s financial dealings that had attracted the attention of the anti-graft agency.
The viral video by VeryDarkMan has not only reignited discussions about corruption within the ranks of Nigeria’s law enforcement agencies but also raised questions about the integrity of ongoing cases. Social media platforms have been abuzz with debates on the issue, with many calling for a thorough investigation into the claims. Some commentators have expressed concern that incidents like this, if left unchecked, could undermine public trust in the EFCC, an agency charged with leading the country’s anti-corruption efforts.
On the flip side, supporters of the EFCC have pointed out that Chairman Olukoyede’s swift action in ordering an investigation demonstrates the commission’s commitment to upholding its mandate. Many believe that this move could serve as a litmus test for the EFCC’s internal mechanisms for dealing with corruption within its ranks.
The invitation extended to Bobrisky and Otse to cooperate with the investigation signals the EFCC’s openness to external scrutiny and its willingness to address any issues of misconduct. Observers are eager to see how the investigation unfolds and whether any officers will be held accountable for the alleged bribery attempt.
As the investigation proceeds, public interest remains high, with many Nigerians awaiting the outcome of the probe. Should the allegations be proven, it could lead to significant reforms within the EFCC, especially concerning how officers handle sensitive cases involving prominent figures.
For now, Bobrisky’s claims have cast a spotlight on both the EFCC and the broader issue of corruption within Nigeria’s law enforcement agencies. The outcome of this investigation could set a precedent for how similar accusations are handled in the future and could either bolster or diminish the EFCC’s standing in the eyes of the public.
