Alleged Bribery: House Of Reps Summons EFCC Chairman, Bobrisky, And VeryDarkMan
The Nigerian House of Representatives has summoned the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyode, to address allegations of bribery against the commission. The Joint Committees of the House extended the invitation in a letter dated September 27, 2024, requesting Olukoyode and the Comptroller General of the Nigerian Correctional Service to appear on Monday, September 30, alongside all officers involved in the alleged scandal.
The controversy revolves around a voice recording circulating on social media, implicating crossdresser Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, in a bribery scheme. Bobrisky, who was sentenced to six months in prison earlier this year for currency abuse, allegedly paid ₦15 million to EFCC officials to drop money laundering charges. The recording also suggests that Bobrisky served his sentence in a VIP facility rather than a prison cell.
The House Committee has also summoned Bobrisky and social media influencer Martins Otse, known as VeryDarkMan, who released the voice recording, to assist in the investigation.
Falana Family Denies Bribery Allegations
In response to the controversy, Folakemi Falana, daughter of renowned human rights lawyer Femi Falana, has vehemently denied any involvement by her father or her brother, rapper Falz, in helping Bobrisky secure favorable treatment. The allegations surfaced following claims made by VeryDarkMan, accusing the Falanas of bribery and corruption.
Folakemi refuted the accusations on her Instagram account, calling them “baseless and defamatory.” She emphasized that her father had never communicated with Bobrisky and that Falz’s only involvement was a request for financial assistance from Bobrisky to secure a VIP spot in prison. The Falana family has issued legal threats, demanding a retraction of the defamatory statements within 24 hours.
EFCC Launches Investigation into Bribery Allegations
On Tuesday, EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede ordered an investigation into the bribery allegations against officers of the commission, as claimed by Bobrisky. In a statement, EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale confirmed that a team of investigators has been constituted to probe the matter. Bobrisky and VeryDarkMan have been invited to the commission’s Lagos office to provide details to assist the investigation.
NBA Urges Independent Probe into EFCC Bribery Claims
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has called on the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), and the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, to conduct an independent investigation into the bribery allegations. NBA President Afam Osigwe, in a statement on Wednesday, stressed the importance of addressing the accusations, which involve claims that Bobrisky bribed EFCC officials to drop money laundering charges and served his sentence in a VIP facility rather than in a standard correctional center.
The NBA further demanded that any EFCC officers found culpable be dismissed and prosecuted. The association also requested that the Nigerian Correctional Service provide transparent details on Bobrisky’s incarceration conditions, warning that any deviation from legal procedures would undermine Nigeria’s criminal justice system.
The NBA assured the public that it will appoint legal professionals to monitor the investigation to ensure that due process is followed.
