THE Federal Government has inaugurated an independent panel to investigate allegations of corruption and misconduct within the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS).
This was announced by the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, during the panel’s inauguration on Monday in Abuja.
The committee is tasked with examining corruption and gross violations of standard procedures, including recent allegations that correctional officers provided special accommodation for convicted crossdresser Idris Okuneye ( popularly known as Bobrisky).
While the minister was performing the inauguration, Martins Vincent Otse (popularly known as VeryDarkMan) was at the House of Representatives panel investigating bribery allegations involving the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and NCoS, where he explained how he got the controversial audio recording between Bobrisky and an unnamed individual.
According to VeryDarkMan, the audio was received from someone to whom Bobrisky owed money,
VeryDarkMan initially refused to address the committee due to the absence of Bobrisky who was also invited but sent a lawyer instead.
However, lawmakers countered VDM’s submission and moved a motion compelling him to make an address on the subject matter of the voice recording that he released.
But his lawyer prevailed on him to address the committee.
“How I got hold of that recording is as a result of Bobrisky blackmailing somebody he owes money.
“So, according to a proof of chat that was sent to me, 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 19/6/2024,” he said.
VDM narrated that the said money was paid into the account of Bobrisky’s relative Abiola Okuneye, adding that when it was time to get the money back, the lender reached out to Bobrisky who promised to pay it back on 19 September.
“On 1st September, the guy reached out to Bobrisky again but Bobrisky refused. The next thing that followed was blackmail. He said ‘I will tell them that you are smooching me and you are kissing me,” VeryDarkMan said.
He added that a friend of his narrated the situation to him, saying that he had reached out to Bobrisky to pay back in four hours.
VDM added that Bobrisky had paid the money but he still had to release the audio because so many people are suffering in prison.
“When I listened to the audio I said nah, even though you paid, it has to go out there because EFCC cannot go around harassing people while someone with a godfather will be pulling stunts.
“I was detained in the prison, my very good friend Seun Kuti was detained as well, a lot of boys are detained in the prison and Bobrisky is not in any way better than them,” he said.
In a viral video, VeryDarkMan alleged that Bobrisky paid ₦15 million to officials of the anti-graft agency to drop money laundering charges against him during his naira-spraying ordeal in April after which a court sentenced him to six months imprisonment.
VDM also alleged that Bobrisky paid some millions of naira to secure a choice of place in prison.
The crossdresser has since denied the allegations, pointing out that the audio recording was artificial intelligence generated, while the EFCC NCoS insists that it dropped the charge of money laundering against Bobrisky because it could not sustain it in court.
Meanwhile, inaugurating the panel, Minister Tunji-Ojo emphasized that its establishment was part of broader efforts to ensure transparency and accountability within the NCoS. He also highlighted the need for a thorough investigation to address these issues through a fact-finding process that will propose lasting solutions.
The inauguration follows recent suspensions of officers overseeing the Kirikiri Maximum and Minimum Custodial Centres in Lagos, linked to misconduct involving Bobrisky.
Dr. Tunji-Ojo, who also chairs the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire, and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB), stressed the importance of restoring integrity within the service.
“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.”
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.
Eighteen-Eleven Media