The House of Representatives has summoned Ola Olukoyede, Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), alongside the Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS), social media personality Idris Okuneye (popularly known as Bobrisky), and influencer Martins Otse (known as VeryDarkMan). This action follows serious allegations of bribery stemming from a viral social media voice recording.
The Joint Committees of the House have initiated an investigation into claims that Bobrisky confessed to paying ₦15 million to EFCC officials to dismiss money laundering charges against him. The revelations have sparked public outrage and raised significant questions regarding the integrity of the EFCC and its operations.
In a letter dated September 27, 2024, the committee directed Olukoyede and the Chief of the Nigerian Correctional Service to appear before them on Monday, September 30, along with all relevant officers implicated in the allegations. This summons underscores the urgency of addressing the troubling claims that have surfaced.
The controversy escalated after Bobrisky, who was sentenced to six months in prison earlier this year for currency abuse, asserted that he was allowed to serve his sentence in a VIP facility. This assertion has further fueled suspicions of corruption within the agency and has drawn scrutiny from the public.
In response to the mounting pressure, EFCC spokesman Dele Oyewale announced that Olukoyede has ordered an immediate internal investigation into the accusations. The EFCC has also invited both Bobrisky and VeryDarkMan to its Lagos Directorate to assist in the inquiry.
On Wednesday, İgbo History reported that prominent lawyer and human rights activist, Femi Falana, SAN, issued a 24-hour ultimatum to VeryDarkMan, demanding that he retract his “offensive and derogatory publication” against Falana or face legal action. In a letter from Falana’s legal counsel, Taiwo E. Olawanle, VeryDarkMan was instructed to retract his statements and issue a public apology.
The controversy stems from VeryDarkMan’s allegations that Falana demanded ₦10 million from Bobrisky in exchange for removing his name from the EFCC’s records. Olawanle characterized VeryDarkMan’s statements as “a vicious, wicked, and reckless ploy” intended to damage Falana’s reputation. He firmly stated that Falana has never had any discussions with Bobrisky regarding any alleged pardon or other matters.
Olawanle emphasized the importance of exercising freedom of expression responsibly, noting that individuals should not harm another’s reputation through baseless allegations. He demanded an immediate retraction of the offensive statements and a public apology across all platforms where the claims were disseminated. Failure to comply would lead to legal action, including claims for monetary damages.
Meanwhile, VeryDarkMan has accused Bobrisky of failing to repay a ₦4 million debt. To substantiate his claims, he leaked a video recording that purportedly shows how Bobrisky navigated his six-month jail term in April. VeryDarkMan alleged that Bobrisky bribed EFCC officers with ₦15 million to drop the money laundering charges against him. The video also claims that Bobrisky paid ₦10 million to Falz (Folarin Falana) and his father (Femi Falana) to intercede on his behalf.
Following these serious allegations, the EFCC has initiated an investigation into claims that some of its officers accepted ₦15 million from Bobrisky in exchange for dismissing the money laundering charges against him. This inquiry, directed by EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede, is a response to the viral audio recording in which Bobrisky makes these allegations. The developments in this case highlight ongoing concerns about corruption within Nigeria’s financial crime enforcement agencies and the broader implications for accountability and integrity in governance.
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