The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has ordered a thorough and unconditional investigation into allegations of bribery and corruption within the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS).
In a statement signed by his Senior Adviser on Media and Publicity, Babatunde Alao, the Minister strongly condemned the reported misconduct.
He emphasized that any form of indiscipline, unprofessionalism, or corruption within the paramilitary services under the Ministry’s jurisdiction will be met with zero tolerance and stringent punitive measures.
“The Ministry will not tolerate any compromise on its core values of integrity, transparency, and accountability. We will leave no stone unturned in rooting out corruption and ensuring that those found culpable face the full wrath of the law,” Tunji-Ojo said.
Additionally, the minister set up a special investigative panel, chaired by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Magdalene Ajani, to thoroughly investigate the allegations and provide a comprehensive report.
Other members of the committee include Uju Agomuoh, from the Prisoners’ Rehabilitation and Welfare Action (PRAWA), who will serve as Secretary; Mrs. Eva Omatese, Director of Legal Services at the Ministry of Interior; Mr. Usman Nasiru, Director of Joint Services at the Ministry of Interior; and Dr. Ikechukwu Ezeugo, a consultant from The Brekete Family Show.
The minister reassured the public that the investigation would be rigorous, transparent, and impartial, with appropriate disciplinary actions taken against any personnel found guilty.
This inquiry follows a viral post by social media influencer Martin ‘VeryDarkMan,’ who leaked an audio recording in which controversial crossdresser Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, allegedly claimed to have paid the anti-graft agency N15 million to drop money laundering charges against him.
In April, the EFCC arrested Bobrisky on six counts, including money laundering and Naira mutilation. During the trial at the Federal High Court in Lagos, Justice Abimbola Awogboro dismissed the money laundering charges (counts five and six) but sentenced Bobrisky to six months in prison for Naira mutilation.
The judge said the sentence was without the option of a fine, aiming to serve as a deterrent to others who engage in Naira abuse.
Bobrisky began his sentence on 24th March and was released from Kirikiri Correctional Centre on 5th August after completing the six-month jail term.
As of press time, Bobrisky has refuted the bribery allegations in a Facebook post on Wednesday, categorically denying any payment to EFCC officials.
He labeled the leaked audio as ‘fake’ and confirmed that he served his full sentence at Kirikiri Correctional Centre.
He wrote: “My attention has been drawn to a fake voice recording circulating on the internet that I paid EFCC 15 million Naira and that I was never in prison. I didn’t pay any EFCC money; it is a very big lie. I served my term in full and I came out. Discard any false information.”
“Imagine believing someone that came out publicly to tell us that you paid hàcker to track someone’s phone, which is against the law, can be desperate to do anything at this point. I didn’t give EFCC any money.”
