ABUJA (Sundiata Post) -The Nigerian Correctional Services (NCoS) has revealed that the peculiar features of the Okuneye Idris Olarenwaju, popularly known as Bobrisky, did not allow them put him at the general cell.
The NCS made the revelation on Monday during the House of Representatives joint committee hearing on the investigation of disturbing allegation of corruption against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Nigerian Correctional Services.
The NCoS submitted that Bobrisky was given a separate cell because the crossdresser has feminine features as breast and big buttocks and putting him in the general cell may jeopardise his safety given that some others inmates with cases such as sodomy, rape etc are all in the general cell.
The Service further hinted that Bobrisky refused to eat the food served by the NCoS and that his application for self-feeding was approved.
Recall that that the EFCC arrested Bobrisky in April on six counts charges of money laundering and Naira mutilation. During his trial at the Federal High Court in Lagos, Justice Abimbola Awogboro dismissed the money laundering charges (counts five and six) and sentenced Bobrisky to six months in prison for Naira abuse.
The judge imposed a six-month prison sentence without the option of a fine, stating that the crossdresser sentence would serve as a deterrent for others who mutilate the Naira.Bobrisky was released from Kirikiri Correctional Centre on 5 August after serving a six-month jail term.
However, shortly after his release, Social media influencer, Martins Vincent Otse, (A.K.A) VeryDarkMan (VDM) posted on his Instagram page, a leaked audio of the crossdresser narrating what transpired during his six-month jail term.
In the audio, Bobrisky was heard discussing with a friend how the EFCC collected N15 million from him to drop the money laundering charges.
VeryDarkMan released the audio after Bobrisky refused to repay N4 million to one of the people he approached for the N15 million he reportedly paid EFCC.
In the leaked conversation, the crossdresser was heard speaking with a friend, saying: “You know I’m a very big influencer. I have over 5 million followers on Instagram and Facebook, and Facebook pays me every month. Despite that, they (EFCC) claimed I couldn’t afford the N150m house I live in. EFCC charged me with money laundering and took me to court. We pleaded with them, asking how much it would cost to drop the money laundering charges, and EFCC said N15 million.
“I couldn’t use my account because I’m still under investigation and can’t withdraw or transfer funds. So, I called a few friends. One of them was Elele, and I asked him which account I should use to send the money. I gave him my brother’s account, and he transferred N8 million. I also called Demola in the US, and he immediately sent N1 million. Other people I trust sent money in, and we gathered the full amount (N15m); we gave them the money, and they (the EFCC) dropped the money laundering charge and took me to court for Naira abuse.”
He also alleged that he served his prison sentence in a private apartment after his godfather contacted the Comptroller General of the Nigerian Correctional Service.
At the commencement of the public hearing, VDM vowed not to say anything because Bobrisky, the man in the eye of the storm, refused to honour the committee’s invitation.
This posution led to a rowdy session with the members of the committee threatening to exercise their power by ordering the Sergeant-At-Arms to arrest VDM, adding that other parties like EFCC, NCoS were present and that the investigative hearing must go on unhindered.
The lawmakers, in response, asked why Bobrisky’s lawyer didn’t come along with a ‘sick letter’ to prove that Bobrisky was indeed ill.
Furious VDM questioned why Bobrisky did not honoured the House’s invitation, adding that
Bobrisky said in the voice note that there is a godfather somewhere, that may be the godfather told him not to attend. He has disrespected this committee by not showing up,” he said.
Angered by the witness’ behaviour, Billy Osawaru, a lawmaker from Edo State, suggested that the House should issue a warrant of arrest against VeryDarkMan for contempt of the House.”
In response to the threat of arrest, VeryDarkMan said he was prepared to be jailed.
“You are already threatening me with arrest. If you detain me, I will stay in the cell.
“If Bobrisky is not here, I will not say anything. If I say anything, let me die,” he declared.
Earlier in his opening remarks, the Lead Chairman of the joint committee, Hon Ginger Onwusibe stressed that the allegations against the nation’s key agencies that are symbols of national integrity, honour and discipline, are weighty, that this development is very dangerous to the image of our country and democracy among the comity of nations, and therefore calls for careful investigation, diligent analysis, and sober reflection.
He further that there is need to keep the public sector honest, transparent and accountable; curb dishonest practices; and ensure public sector employees act in the public interest. Hon Ginger reiterated that the danger of corruption in any public agencies cannot be overemphasized, for it can result in financial losses; damage to employee morale; damage to its reputation, and lead to focus and resources being diverted away from delivering core statutory rules and services to the country.
Corruption is an insidious plague that has a wide range of corrosive effects on societies. It undermines democracy and the rule of law and leads to violations of decent societal values.
Widespread corruption deters investment, weakens economic growth, and undermines the rule of law. Corruption undermines public trust in authority, which can lead to civil unrest and unnecessary political dislocations and tensions.
You will agree with me that these allegations are reprehensible behaviour, highest form of indiscipline, unprofessionalism, which must be confronted with absolute zero-tolerance and severe consequences for the would-be culprits. Therefore, our job as a committee is to engage in unconditional and comprehensive investigations of the allegations specified above.
In fiercely resisting this scandal which has caused serious rupture within the concerned two national agencies, this committee will not tolerate any compromise on its core values of integrity, transparency, and accountability, as we must be thorough and unbiased in our investigation.
Hon Ginger assured that his committee must put on moral armour to crack severely the foundation of these weighty and devastating allegations, and rescue the federal agencies involved from the brink of unprecedented danger and ridicule.
