The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ola Olukoyede, has ordered an immediate investigation into bribery allegations made against some Commission officers by popular cross-dresser Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky.
This development follows a viral video in which Bobrisky accused unnamed EFCC officers of extorting N15,000,000 (Fifteen Million Naira) from him to drop money laundering charges previously levelled against him.
The allegations were brought to public attention through a video spearheaded by Martins Vincent Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan, a social media influencer and activist. In the video, Bobrisky claimed that the officers demanded and received a large sum as part of a settlement to dismiss the charges against him. The video has since sparked widespread debate across social media platforms.
In response, the EFCC issued a statement signed by its Head of Media and Publicity, Mr Dele Oyewale, indicating that the agency is treating the allegations seriously. The EFCC chairman has constituted a team of investigators to investigate the matter thoroughly. Bobrisky and Otse have been invited to the Lagos Directorate of the EFCC to assist in the investigation.
“The EFCC wishes to assure the public that the allegations will be rigorously investigated, and the findings will be made public,” the statement read. It also emphasised the Commission’s unwavering commitment to its core values of integrity, courage, professionalism, and collaboration.
The accusations come months after Bobrisky completed a six-month jail term for abusing the naira. In April 2024, Justice Abimbola Awogboro of the Federal High Court, Lagos, convicted and sentenced the Instagram celebrity for the offence, which stemmed from a viral video of him tearing and trampling on the currency. Bobrisky was released on August 5, 2024, after serving his full sentence without the option of a fine.
The recent bribery allegations have drawn renewed attention to Bobrisky’s legal battles and the role of the EFCC in addressing financial crimes. According to legal experts at Legal Linkz, if the allegations are proven true, the officers involved could face severe consequences under Nigerian anti-corruption laws. The EFCC’s swift response to investigate these claims is a critical test of the Commission’s commitment to transparency and accountability in the fight against corruption.
Visit LegalLinkz for updates and legal insights on the case. Expert analysis and developments on this unfolding story will be available there.
