*Bobrisky: NCoS, EFCC Deny Any Wrong Doing
THE Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has affirmed the suspension of two senior officers over the saga involving cross-dresser, Idris Okuneye aka Bobrisky, saying a trending video by one of the suspended senior officers was aimed at misleading the public.
Social media influencer and rights activist, Vincent Otse, popularly known as Very Dark Man (VDM), published an audio recording that captured Bobrisky allegedly saying he spent his jail term in a private apartment.
The audio also captured Bobrisky allegedly saying he paid N15 million to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) officials to drop charges of money laundering against him.
A Deputy Controller of NCoS, Michael Anugwa, in a viral video on Monday, September 30, denied being suspended by the Service.
Recall that the Federal Government had announced the suspension of the officers in charge of the Maximum and Minimum Custodial Centres in Kirikiri, Lagos State, following an audio leak in which Bobrisky, who was convicted of Naira abuse and sentenced to six months in jail, allegedly claimed that he was given an apartment outside the custodial centre to serve the term.
Spokesman of the NCoS, Umar Abubakar, in a statement in Abuja on Tuesday, countered the officer, saying the suspension letters were issued and conveyed to the affected officers, saying: “The attention of the Nigerian Correctional Service has been drawn to a trending video of one of its senior officers purporting that the Service has not served him a letter of suspension as earlier directed by the Civil Defence, Correctional Fire and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB).
“The Service views this as an act of gross misconduct aimed at misleading the public on the issue at hand.”
He said the officer in the video was not the only one suspended, as three other officers were also suspended, following their alleged roles in various misconducts, so as to allow for further investigation.
Those suspended are the officer-in-charge of the Maximum Security Custodial Centre, Kirikiri, Deputy Controller of Corrections (DCC) Sikiru Adekunle; officer-in-charge of the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Kirikiri, Lagos, Deputy Controller of Corrections (DCC) Michael Anugwa; the officer-in-charge of the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Kuje, FCT Command, DCC Kevin Ikechukwu Iloafonsi; and Assistant Superintendent of Corrections (ASC II), Ogbule Samuel Obinna of the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State.
He insisted: “Recall that two (2) letters were issued by the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire, and Immigration Services board (CDCFIB) with reference nos: CDCFIB/NCOS/DISP/016/VOL.II/16 and CDCFIB/NCOS/DISP/016/VOL.II/17 both dated 26th September, 2024, suspending the aforementioned officers.
“The suspension, which took effect from the 26th of September, 2024, was conveyed to the various officers accordingly.”
Abubakar assured the public that the Service would ensure that a thorough investigation is carried out and any person or group of persons found culpable would be punished, in line with the Public Service Rules and other extant laws.
Meanwhile, the Comptroller General of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Haliru Nabana, has insisted that Bobrisky served his jail term in correctional facility in Lagos State.
Addressing the House of Representatives Committee investigating alleged bribery and misconduct against the NCoS and EFCC in Abuja on Monday, September 30, Nabana told the committee that Bobrisky was convicted and was incarcerated from April 12 to August 13, 2024 in the facility.
He reiterated that there was no time when Bobrisky was allowed outside the correctional facility, saying there are records of his activities in jail to show that he was in the facility.
He, however, explained that as a result of special features, such as mammary gland and curvy hips, which portrays him like a women, Bobrisky was kept in a private cell away from other inmates, which is in line with international best practices, as it was to protect his human right and to protect him against violation by other inmates.
Nabana added 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.
On his part, Executive Chairman of EFCC, Olanipekun Olukoyede, said no money was received to drop charges against Bobrisky.
Olukoyede, represented by his Chief of Staff, Michael Nzekwe, said that in April 2024, Bobrisky, while undergoing investigation in his extra-judicial statement, made a confession alleging to have failed to submit to Special Control Unit against Money Laundering (SCUML), a declaration of the activities of his firm, Bob Express, contrary to Section 6(1) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022
“Notwithstanding the unequivocal confession of the now ex-convict admitting the essential ingredients, the prosecution, in total fidelity and candour to its oath and strict adherence to professional practice of not only disclosing exculpatory documents to the defense.
“We received a report of the investigation activities from SCUML, which showed that Bob Express is not a Designated Non-Financial Business and Profession (DNFBP).
“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 defense, 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, adding that he would continue to fight corruption, noting that while other Nigerians are in jail for offenses committed, Bobrisky should not be given any form of special treatment.
He stated: “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 been messed up so bad, you people have to to save your face.” h
He tendered some part of the evidence to the committee and promised to release more as the investigation progresses, even as he urged the committee to ensure Bobrisky appeared before it and not to tolerate any further disrespect from him.
In his ruling, the Chairman of the Committee, Ginger Onwusibe (LP-Abia), said Bobrisky must appear in person in their next hearing and demanded video footage of the activities of Bobrisky through out his terms in the correctional facility, assuring that the accounts provided by VDM into which the alleged money for bribe was paid into would be investigated.
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.
The hearing was then adjourned to a further date to be announced.
