Did some officials of Nigeria’s EFCC collect Bobrisky’s N15m bribe? That is the question the agency is seeking answers to.
Nigeria’s main anti-graft agency has ordered immediate investigation into allegations of bribery against its officials. These allegations were made by Idris Okuneye, also known as Bobrisky, in a viral audio. Martins Vincent Otse, known as VeryDarkMan (VDM) made the audio public on his social media post.
Ola Olukoyede, the chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) commissioned the probe on Tuesday.
In the video by VDM, Okuneye claims some unnamed EFCC officers accepted N15,000,000 (Fifteen Million Naira) from him to drop money laundering charges.
The EFCC has invited both Okuneye and Otse to come to its Lagos Directorate to assist in the investigation. The commission assured in a statement that the findings will be made public. However, VDM has expressed concern about his safety in the Lagos office, preferring to report at the Abuja office, instead.
EFCC, Bobrisky’s N15m bribe allegation and other stories.
EFCC is known to evoke fears in some suspected criminals who are the focus of investigates. For instance, the commission is currently investigating several allegations of corrupt practices, making some persons uneasy.
Recently, they have focused on high-profile cases, including that of Yahaya Bello, the former governor of Kogi State. Additionally, some former NDDC officials and lately, Bobrisky, a well-known social media personality, are also under scrutiny.
In the Yahaya Bello case, the EFCC is examining how he managed state funds. Allegations from EFCC suggest that he misappropriated some of the money. As a result, the commission, after some investigations, has taken the matter to court but Bello has been evasive. This particularly investigation has drawn significant public interest, intrigues and drama.
Similarly, Bobrisky is facing a probe over his alleged utterances. In a recorded audio, he claimed some EFCC officials took bribe to drop money laundering charges against him. Bobrisky just served a six-month jail term. However, before he was convicted, EFCC dropped the money laundering charges. The controversial audio in public now suggests money changed hands in exchange.
The EFCC has also been busy looking into the books of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). Some former officials are under investigation for claims of fraud and embezzlement, Medialord gathered. A highly placed source within the EFCC said they aim to ensure accountability for diverting funds meant for development projects.
According to him, the EFCC encourages citizenship involvement in checking corruption, by reporting any suspect. “Public involvement is crucial in combating financial crimes. Thus, the commission has established hotlines and online platforms for anonymous tips,” he told Medialord.
The official reiterated EFCC’s commitment to addressing corruption, saying they will pursue all allegations vigorously. As these investigations into Bobrisky’s N15m bribe allegation progress, the outcomes will be vital for restoring public trust in Nigerian institutions, he added.
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