By Amin
Abuja (Core Reporters) The chairman house committe investigating Mr. Okuneye Idris Olarenwaju (Bobrisky’s) corruption allegations labeled against the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) and the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCos) Hon. GINGER Onwusibe has said that his committee will not compromise in its quest to get to the root cause or unravel the facts of the matter.
Hon Onwusibe made this known on Monday during the investigative hearing of the joint committees on the investigation of disturbing allegations of corruption against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Nigeria Correctional Services (NCoS)
However, During the hearing, both the EFCC and the NCoS officials denied the bribery allegations.
The EFCC refuted claims that Bobrisky paid N15 million to have the money laundering charges against him dropped, while the NCoS insisted that Bobrisky served his term at the Kirikiri Maximum Correctional Centre and not in a private apartment as alleged.
Bobrisky was convicted on April 5, 2024, by the Federal High Court in Lagos and sentenced to six months in prison for abuse of the naira.
On August 5, 2024, the self-acclaimed “Mummy of Lagos” regained his freedom amid allegations of receiving preferential treatment while in custody due to his fame as a media personality.
Last week, a social media influencer, Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, released an audio recording purportedly made by Bobrisky, in which he claimed that after his conviction and sentencing, an unnamed godfather, in collaboration with the Controller General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, arranged for him to serve his six-month sentence in a private apartment.
In the audio shared by VDM, Bobrisky was alleged to have claimed that he paid as much as N15m to EFCC officials to drop the money laundering charges against him.
According to reports around the controversy, it was uncovered that when Bobrisky was found guilty by Nigerian courts and jailed accordingly for abusing the Naira money, he served the jail terms in the comfort of a procured VIP section at the correctional centre , bribing his way
The cross – dresser reportedly bribed his ways and remained in his comfort, while it was presumed he was marking his jail terms in incaceration at the Kirikiri prisons. He was also accused of trying to secure a state pardon by allegedly bribing the anti graft agency
Following these allegations, the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, ordered a probe and the immediate suspension of the Deputy Controller of Corrections in charge of the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Kirikiri, Lagos State, Michael Anugwa, and the Deputy Controller of Corrections in charge of the Maximum Security Custodial Centre, Kirikiri, Lagos State, Sikiru Adekunle.
Appearing before the Reps Joint Committee on Monday, Anugwa stated that when Bobrisky was brought to the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Ikoyi, Lagos, he refused to eat the prison rations, preferring to make personal arrangements for his feeding.
He noted that this practice is guaranteed under the nation’s laws.
Meanwhile, Onwusibe said, “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.
“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.
“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. Widespread corruption deters investment, weakens economic growth, and undermines the rule of law. Corruption undermines public trust in authority, which can lead to civil unrest and unnecessary political dislocations and tensions.
Today (Monday), we seek a 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,” he said.
