Bobrisky/VeryDarkMan: Will Heads Roll?

Ekene Israel

Last week Nigerians woke to the bribery allegations where it was alleged by social media influencer Martins Otse also known as VeryDarkMan that popular crossdresser, Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, alleged that some unnamed Economic and Financial Crimes Commission operatives collected N15 million from him to drop money laundering charges against him, an allegation that Bobrisky vehemently denied.

However, in a statement on Tuesday, the EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, responded to the viral audio and said the Commission’s Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, had ordered an immediate investigation into the matter.

However, in an Instagram post on Wednesday morning, Bobrisky denied bribing any EFCC officer to drop money laundering charges against him, saying that he served his jail term.

The controversial social media sensation also described the viral voice recording as fake, stressing that the claim that he was never in prison was false and should be ignored.

He wrote, “My attention has been drawn to a fake voice recording circulating on the internet that I paid EFCC 15 million naira, and that I was never in prison… I didn’t pay any EFCC money, which is a very big lie. I served my term in full, and I came out. Discard any false information.”

Based on this the House of Representatives summoned the EFCC Chairman, Nigerian Correctional Service Comptroller General, Bobrisky, VeryDarkMan, and all officers involved in the prosecution of Bobrisky.

The summon was contained in a letter written by the Lead Chairman of the joint committee, Jon Ginger Onwusibe to parties on Friday over the disturbing allegation of corruption against the Economic and Financial Crime Commission EFCC, the Nigeria Correctional Services.

Others invited are ACG Ben Rabbi Freedman the Controller of Corrections Lagos Command as of then, Ja’afaru Ahmed Secretary Board, Micheal Anugwa DCC in charge of medium Security, Sikiru Adekunle DCC in charge of Maximum Security, Bobrisky and VeryDarkman.

It on record that in April, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arrested Bobrisky on six counts of money laundering and Naira mutilation.

During his trial at the Federal High Court in Lagos, Justice Abimbola Awogboro dismissed the money laundering charges (counts five and six) but sentenced the social media personality to six months in prison for Naira abuse.

However, a little over a month after his release, Martins Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan, posted a leaked audio recording on Instagram, in which Bobrisky narrated the events that transpired during his prison term.

In the audio, Bobrisky can be heard discussing with a friend how EFCC officials allegedly extorted N15 million from him to drop the money laundering charges.

VeryDarkMan explained that he released the audio after Bobrisky refused to repay N4 million borrowed from one of the people he approached to raise the N15 million.

On Tuesday night, EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede, in a statement obtained by this newspaper, ordered an immediate investigation into the bribery allegations.

Mr. Olukoyede also called for Bobrisky and VeryDarkMan to report to the EFCC’s Lagos office to assist in the inquiry.

Following all this hullabaloo, the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Correctional Service, Haliru Nabana, has said that Idris Okuneye, a crossdresser popularly known as Bobrisky, served his jail term in correctional facility in Lagos State.

It would be recalled that Bobrisky was convicted of mutilating the naira and was sentenced to six months in jail.

Nababa, who spoke this while addressing the House of Representatives Committee investigating alleged bribery and misconduct against the NCS and EFCC in Abuja on Monday, explained to the committee that Bobrisky was convicted and was incarcerated from April 12 to 13, 2024 in the facility.

He said that there was no time when Bobrisky was allowed outside the correctional facility, adding that there are records of his activities in jail to show that he was in the facility.

He, however, said that as a result of special features such as mammary gland and curvy hips which portrays Bobrisky like a woman, he was kept in a private cell away from other inmates.

According to him, this is in line with international best practices as it is to protect his human rights and to protect him against violation by other inmates.

NaAbba also said that for security reasons, Bobrisky was at a point moved from Medium Security Custodian Centre to Maximum Security Custodian Centre, all within the correctional facility.

In his remarks, the Executive Chairman of EFCC, Olanipekun Olukoyede, said no money was received to drop charges against Bobrisky.

Represented by his Chief of Staff, Michael Nzekwe, Olukoyede said that in April 2024, Bobrisky, while undergoing investigation, in his extrajudicial statement, made a confession.

He said that Bobrisky was alleged to have failed to submit to Special Control Unit against Money Laundering a declaration of its activities of his firm, Bob Express.

According to Olukoyede, this is contrary to Section 6(1) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

He said: “We received a report of the investigation activities from SCUML, which showed that Bob Express is not a Designated Non-Financial Business and Profession.

“We then decided to drop the charge in the interest of justice and fair hearing, without any inducement or prompting of any sort from the defence, and in line with the mandate of the Special Task Force against Naira abuse.”

Earlier, VDM told the committee that he was in possession of more evidence yet to be released to the public, saying that he would continue to fight corruption.

He said that while other Nigerians are in jail for offences committed, Bobrisky should not be given any form of special treatment.

He said: “Nigeria is not for the godfathers.

“I will not allow corruption.

“If I see a secret about you, I will tell.

“I am being very honest.

“I will not fear anybody because Nigeria is going down.

“I will implore you people to do the right thing because the judiciary system is being messed up so bad.

“You people have to to save your face.”

Meanwhile, at the day of the hearing, VDM tendered some part of the evidence to the committee and promised to release more as the investigation progresses.

He told the committee to ensure Bobrisky appears before it and not to tolerate any further disrespect from him.
Blogger Martins Otse known as VeryDarkMan has revealed how he got a controversial phone recording of cross dresser, Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky.

The blogger made the revelation on Monday when he presented himself before a House of Representatives panel investigating bribery allegations involving the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS).

Also, officials of the EFCC and the NCoS were present as the Committees on Financial Crimes and Reformatory Institutions commenced investigation into allegations of bribery and corruption levelled against the anti-graft agency and the prison service by the blogger.

The blogger initially refused to address the committee, in the absence of Bobrisky who was also invited but sent a lawyer instead.

However, lawmakers counter the blogger’s submission, moved a motion compelling him to make an address on the subject matter of the voice recording which he released.

The blogger remained adamant, insisting that his lawyer would speak instead despite the committee’s threat to invoke legislative powers and order his arrest right away.

But his lawyer prevails on him to address the committee.

VeryDarkMan explained the authenticity of the trending audio record, stating that it was received from someone whom Bobrisky owed money, as he submitted part of the recording to the committee.

VeryDarkMan alleged that the lender provided Bobrisky with the money on June 19, 2024, while she was in EFCC detention.

“How I got hold of that recording is a result of Bobrisky blackmailing somebody he owes money. According to the story and evidence of proof of chat that was sent to me,” he said.

“The person borrowed Bobrisky N4 million when he was in EFCC detention or rather in a private apartment. The person gave him the money on the 19th of June, 2024.

“It was transferred to a Kuda account of Abiodun Okuneye, apparently his brother’s account. So, when it was time to get his money back, he told Bobrisky he needed to sort his bills in Lagos but Bobrisky refused to respond.”

The Abuja-based fitness expert also claimed that the crossdresser blackmailed the person she owed money to when it was time to repay.

“The chat where he was disturbing the guy he wants to refund immediately after he saw my video and the chat where he blackmailed the guy, asking for the money,” he continued.

“I would like to read a part where he said ‘dear Bobrisky this is a reminder for the return of the loan amount of N4 million as agreed, the due date for the return is September 1’. Mind you, it was Bobrisky who gave the date.

“Then he said ‘kindly use the attached details to make the refund’ but because he did not get it, he came to me.

“So this part, the guy went on saying ‘I helped when you needed help but when it’s time to pay me back, you are blackmailing me’. Then Bobrisky went on to say ‘when you kissed, smooched me, did you give me any money? I did not ask you for money because I’m okay.

If not EFCC, do you think I’m going to ask you for money? Go ahead and call me out, I will respond to you on IG. You know I’m shameless and I don’t care. You will get your money, I have your account. I don’t want to look ungrateful but threatening me with 24 hours ultimatum is the height of it.”

“So these are the evidence I will be presenting. Additionally, after this, there is a second and a third one.”

Although he did not mention names, the social media celebrity also submitted part of the recording to the committee

In his ruling, the Chairman of the Committee, Rep. Ginger Onwusibe (LP-Abia), said that Bobrisky must appear in person at their next hearing.

Onwusibe demanded video footage of the activities of Bobrisky through out his terms in the correctional facility.

The chairman said that the accounts provided by VDM into which the alleged money for bribe was paid into will be investigated.

The hearing was then adjourned to a further date to announced.

However, Bobrisky was absent at the hearing and his counsel who came to represent him was not recognised to speak as he had no letter or approval to speak on his behalf.

Already the Federal Government has inaugurated an independent investigative panel to probe allegations of corruption and gross violations of standard operating procedures within the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS). Minister of Interior, Honourable Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who inaugurated the committee on Monday in Abuja said the panel must also look at the recent allegation that some correctional service personnel had provided an alternative accommodation for convicted cross-dresser, Idris Okuneye, also known as Bobrisky.

The panel, according to the Minister became necessary to sanitise the service towards attaining transparency and accountability. Recall that the Minister, who is also the Chairman of the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire, and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB), had suspended several officers overseeing the Maximum and Minimum Custodial Centres in Kirikiri, Lagos State, following allegations of misconduct involving Bobrisky. Dr Tunji-Ojo noted the need for a holistic approach to unravel the issues being investigated, through empirical and fact-finding processes that, will proffer lasting solutions to the challenges.

“We want to reform the correctional service. Your core responsibility is to investigate specific allegations of corruption, torture, and mistreatment of inmates by correctional officers, especially the immediate one on Bobrisky which I expect to be out in two weeks,” he said. Headed by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr Magdalene Ajani, the minister charged the committee to uphold justice, without fear or favour to any party.

The minister said, “We will rely on your legal guidance to be sure that whatever we do is in line with the law of the land. We will rely on you to be able to come up with a way forward, as well as facts that would be made public to Nigerians. I want to say this very clearly, nobody will be shielded. Nobody, no matter how highly placed, will be shielded,” he said.

While proposing medium and long-term solutions to prevent future occurrences, the minister further charged the committee to identify systemic issues contributing to violations within the service and recommend concrete actions for immediate redress and policy reforms. The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, who is also the Chairperson of the Investigation Panel, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, stated that the committee would do their best to deliver on the mandate.

The committee comprises Omotese Eva (Mrs.), Director Legal; Nasir Usman, Director, Joint Services; Dr. Uju Agomoh, President, Prisoners’ Rehabilitation and Welfare Action (PRAWA) who is a former Board Member of the International Corrections and Prisons Association (ICPA); and Dr. Ikechukwu Ezeugo, Human Rights Radio consultant, a Forensic Researcher and Social Impact Expert with over 27 years experience in corporate leadership.”

It would be recalled that on this issue the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board has suspended two officers at the Kirikiri Medium Custodial Centre in Lagos.

The officers were suspended following a voice note shared by Martins Otse, a.k.a. VeryDarkMan, in which Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, claimed that after his conviction and sentencing for abuse of the naira notes in April, his 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.

Those suspended according to a memo on Thursday which was signed by the secretary of the board, Ja’afaru Ahmed, are the Deputy Controller of Corrections In-Charge of Medium Security Custodial Centre, Kiri-kiri, Lagos State, Michael Anugwa and Deputy Controller of Corrections In-Charge of MSCC Kiri-Kiri Lagos State, Sikiru Adekunle.

It read, “Following the viral video trending on social media on alleged infractions by Officers of the Nigerian Correctional Service relating to Mr. Idris Okuneye, widely known as Bobrisky, the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board has suspended forthwith the following Senior Officers of the Service:

“Michael Anugwa, DCC, In-Charge of MSCC, Kiri-kiri, Lagos State; and Sikiru Adekunle, DCC, In-Charge of MSCC, Kiri-kiri, Lagos State.”

Ahmed, however, said their suspension was to allow proper investigation into the allegations against them.

He said, “The suspension of these Officers is to allow for further investigation on the various allegations while assuring that the outcome would be made public when concluded.”

With all these myriads of issues on the case, Nigerians await what comes out of it and to see if heads will roll.