The House of Representatives Committee investigating corruption allegations against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) is set to visit their Lagos offices on Monday, October 21, 2024.
The probe follows claims by crossdresser Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, which surfaced through a recorded conversation shared by social media influencer Martins Otse (VeryDarkMan).
The Committee’s Chairman, Ginger Onwusibe, confirmed the visit, emphasizing that the goal is to gather more information about the allegations. The investigation was triggered after Bobrisky allegedly claimed to have paid ₦15 million to have money laundering charges dropped. Bobrisky, who was convicted on April 5, 2024, for abusing the naira and released on August 5, 2024, faces accusations of receiving preferential treatment while in custody.
During an earlier hearing on October 1, officials from the EFCC, NCoS, and Otse presented their testimonies regarding Bobrisky’s claims. Otse shared an audio recording in which Bobrisky alleged that he had not spent time in a prison facility but was housed in a private apartment, supposedly after making a substantial payment.
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, subsequently ordered an investigation and suspended two correctional center officials involved in the case. Following his initial testimony, Otse released another audio clip, where Bobrisky allegedly mentioned paying ₦5 million to a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) to secure a federal pardon.
Otse initially hesitated to testify, insisting that Bobrisky should be required to address the public as well. After discussions with his lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, and the committee, he agreed to cooperate with the investigation on the condition that Bobrisky would also provide his account publicly.
Chairman Onwusibe stated that after the committee’s visit to the EFCC and correctional facilities in Lagos, they would set a date for Bobrisky’s questioning. He affirmed, “We are visiting the correctional centre in Lagos and the EFCC office in Lagos on Monday next week (October 21). After our visit, we shall resume hearing.”
