The Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB) has announced the immediate suspension of four senior officers following a viral video concerning alleged misconduct by Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS) officers involving Idris Okuneye, also known as Bobrisky.
According to a statement signed by CDFIB Secretary, Ja’afaru Ahmed, those suspended include Sikiru Adekunle, a DCC in charge of the Maximum-Security Custodial Center (MSCC) at the same location, and Michael Anugwa, deputy controller of corrections (DCC) in charge of the Medium Security Custodial Centre (MSCC) at Kiri-kiri, Lagos State.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelOgbule Samuel Obinna, an ASC II stationed at the MSCC in Afikpo, Ebonyi State, has also been suspended by the board for allegedly taking a convicted prisoner outside the facility.
In another related development, the Board also announced the suspension of Iloafonsi Kevin Ikechukwu, Deputy Controller of Corrections (DCC), in charge of Medium Security Custodial Centre (MSCC), Kuje in Abuja, for allegedly receiving monies on behalf of an inmate.
“The suspension of these Officers is to allow for further investigation on the various allegations while assuring that the outcome would be made public when concluded,” Ahmed stated.
Prime Business Africa reports that the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, had in response, ordered an immediate investigation into allegations of bribery within the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS).
In viral video, a social media influencer, Martins Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan, played an audio recording purported to be the voice of Bobrisky allegedly telling someone that he paid N15 million to unnamed officers
READ ALSO: Olukoyede Orders Probe Of Bobrisky’s N15m Bribery Allegations Against EFCC Officers
According to the audio shared by another influencer, VeryDarkMan, Bobrisky allegedly said his godfather, in collaboration with the controller-general of the Nigerian Correctional Service, arranged for him to serve his six-months prison sentence in a private apartment rather than in a correctional facility. According to the crossdresser, a sum of N10 million was involved in the arrangement.
Apart from the accusations of bribery, Bobrisky also made assertions in the voice note that he paid N15 million to EFCC officers in order to get the money laundering charges against him withdrawn, leaving only the charge of currency misuse.
Prime Business Africa had also reported that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) invited VeryDarkMan to assist the anti-graft agency in thorough investigation into the allegations.
Additionally, he asserted that for N10 million, renowned human rights attorney Femi Falana (SAN) and his singer son, Falz, promised to assist in obtaining a presidential pardon.
Falana, has however, denied any involvement in Bobrisky’s case. Falana’s lawyers in a letter addressed to VeryDarkMan, said the comment amounted to defamation and demanded retraction of the statements within 24 hours, adding that failure to do so would compel them take legal action.
Falana’s lawyers said he has never spoken to Bobrisky regarding his conviction or any potential pardon.
Reacting , VeryDarkMan in a letter by his lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, another human rights activist, claimed that he never intended to defame Falana. The social influencer said he had expressed desire for the allegations to be thoroughly investigated.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with seven years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Master's degree in Mass Communication.
