Bobrisky Archives | Page 2 of 2

Bobrisky: Minister vows to sanction erring Correctional Service Officers

Prince Odutola3 months ago3 months ago05 mins

The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo has assured Nigerians of the Federal Government’s commitment to holistic reform the Correctional Service. He made this assurance at the official launch of the report on the National Assessment of the situation of Children and Young Adults Deprived of Liberty on Tuesday in Abuja. He stated that the Nigeria Correctional Service Act of 2019 mandates that issues on juvenile deliquesce be addressed through reforms, rehabilitation, reintegration of offenders into the society. “I’m passionate about giving inmates, especially children and young adults, a second chance, as I strongly believe that a minor action of a minor should not be a major setback for his future,” he said. He decried the high number of correctional centres across the country as against the ratio of inmates to the population saying, “there are certain questions we need to ask ourselves; like do we need 256 Correctional centres in Nigeria? When you do the ratio of inmates to the population, Nigeria is one of the least. We have 84,000 inmates in a country of about 200 million people, so why should we have 256 correctional centres? How many armed correctional guards do we have to secure the 256 centres? We need to ask ourselves these questions “. The Minister said that in the Bobrisky case, it is not going to be business as usual. “We are resolute. By next week the committee will be ready with the report. My concern is not about Bobrisky, but about my officers. If any officer is found wanting, he must face the penalty.” He reiterated that beyond a name change from prisons to corrections, the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is committed to taking all necessary measures to reform the Correctional Service into a hub for rehabilitation, reformation, and redemption. “The correctional service cannot continue to be a point of disgrace to the Nigerian Government.We will not allow the actions of a few to destroy the integrity of the generality of the institution,” Tunji-Ojo said. Adding that, the committee will be expanded to address such issues when they arise in future. “We will expand the committee because when the crisis calls it is an opportunity for reform.” While appreciating the efforts of all contributors to the report, Tunji-Ojo assured the public that the government will carefully pay attention to all issues raised, and ensure that sustainable solutions be sought. He further assured UNICEF of his ministry’s support in addressing issues relating to juvenile justice. In attendance were key stakeholders and partners including officials of the Ministry of Justice, National Assembly, Prisoner’s Rehabilitation and Welfare Action (PRAWA), UNICEF, Nigerian Bar Association, British High Commission, US Embassy, European Union, NBS_Nigeria, Nigerian Police Force and National Human Rights Commission, amongst others.

Bobrisky: I charge $100,000 for influencing

Prince Odutola3 months ago3 months ago03 mins

Popular Nigerian crossdresser, Idris Okuneye, also known as Bobrisky, has revealed that he charges the sim of $100,000 for influencing on social media platforms. This, according to him, was one of his genuine sources of wealth contrary to people’s belief that he’s into money laundering and fraudulent acts. This was contained in a video posted by controversial social media critic, Martin Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan on Monday, October 7, 20204. According to VDM, the call recording was made on May 16, 2024. “All the money I have is genuine and the sources are like most of my influencing [sic], like that day I called you that one woman wanted to pay me £10,000, you know I told you that it’s for influencing. “So, people don’t know how I charge a lot of money for influencing but I made them understand I charge as far as $100,000 to influence,” Bobrisky allegedly said in a recorded voice call with a male contact whose name remains unknown. The crossdresser who was convicted for mutilating the naira in April and sentenced to six months in jail, noted that he had access to his mobile phone while in custody. The male contact had initially asked if Bobrisky was out of prison before he responded in the negative, then he said he hadn’t been talking to people over the phone. “People have been sending me so many messages but I’ve not been responding because I don’t want anybody to know that I have my phone. I only want to talk to somebody that I know I can trust. “So if you think you cannot do it, all fingers are equal. Some others do it and trust me, God blessed the hustle. Obviously, I met a very terrible judge who wasn’t fair at all,” he added.

Money laundering charges against Bobrisky were dropped lawfully – EFCC

Prince Odutola3 months ago3 months ago05 mins

A Prosecutor with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC Bilikisu Bala on Monday, September 30, 2024, told a Joint Committee of the House of Representatives investigating allegations of corruption against some officers of the Commission, and the Nigeria Correctional Service that charges of money laundering dropped in the trial of Idris Okuneye (a.k.a Bobrisky) were lawful and in compliance with the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, ACJA. Bala, head of the prosecution team that handled the trial of Okuneye pointed out to the Committee that the charges were dropped based on the disclosure of the Special Control Unit against Money Laundering, SCUML, that Okunenye’s firm, Bob Express, was not a Designated Non Financial Institution, Business and Profession, DNFIBP, and could not be prosecuted for flouting provisions of the Money Laundering Prevention & Prohibition Act, 2022. “We initially raised six count charges bordering on Naira Abuse and Money Laundering against Okuneye based on his confessional statement that his firm, Bob Express, was not registered with SCUML and was not rendering returns to it. Counts 1-4 were on Naira Abuse while counts five and six were on money laundering. Okuneye’s confession that he didn’t register his firm, Bob Express with SCUML and not rendering returns to it informed the money laundering charges initially included in the six count charges. However, when we wrote to SCUML on the status of the firm, the Unit responded that it was not a Designated Non-Financial Institution, Business and Profession, DNFIBP. We cannot lawfully sustain the charges in all sincerity. We, therefore dropped them and relied on the four counts on Naira mutilation to which Okuneye had pleaded guilty”, she said. The prosecutor dismissed claims of financial inducement in dropping charges maintaining that no such thing happened. “There is simply no basis for that. The Administration of Criminal Justice Act, ACJA, allows amendment of charges. It is a professional practice. It is laughable for anyone to attribute our decision to monetary issues. Why did we write to SCUML if we didn’t want to include the charges? We wrote to be lawfully guided and when the Unit responded that the firm had not breached any law, on what basis should we have retained the money laundering charges?”, she said. Bala, who appeared before the Committee with top management staff of the EFCC, charged the Committee to critically look into all the issues raised against the EFCC and make public its findings in the interest of justice. Chief of Staff to the EFCC’s Chairman, Commander of the EFCC, CE Michael Nzekwe who stood for the Chairman, Ola Olukoyede restated the seriousness the Commission attached to integrity of its staff. “We viewed the allegation of bribery against our officers seriously. Integrity is one of our core values. This is why we are here to place all the facts involved in the trial of Okuneye in the public domain”, he said. Okuneye, an ex-convict, had alleged in a viral video that he offered N15,000,000 (Fifteen Million Naira) as a bribe to some unnamed EFCC officers to drop money laundering charges against him.

Bobrisky saga: NCoS affirms suspension of senior officers

Prince Odutola3 months ago3 months ago03 mins

The Nigeria Correctional Service has reaffirmed that the suspended senior officers remain suspended. The Public Relations Officer of the Service, Assistant Controller of Corrections, Umar Abubakar stated this in a statement on Tuesday. “The attention of the Nigeria 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 Defense, Correctional Fire, and Immigration Service Board ( CDCFIB) . The Service views this as an act of gross misconduct aimed at misleading the public on the issue at hand. “For avoidance of doubt, the Nigerian Correctional Service suspended not only the said officer in the video, but three other officers following the alleged roles in various misconducts so as to allow for further investigation. “The suspended officers are the officer-in-charge of the Maximum 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) OgbuleSamuel Obinna of the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Abakiliki, Ebonyi State. “Recall that two letters were issued by the Civil Defence Correctional, Fire, and Immigration Services Board )CDCFIB) with reference Nos: CDCFIB/NCOS/DISP/016/VOLII/16 and CDCFIB/NCOS/DISP/016/VOLII/17 both dates 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. “The public is advised to remain resolute as the Service would ensure that thorough investigation would be carried out and any person or group of persons found culpable would be punished in line with the Public Service Riles as well as other extant laws.”

Bobrisky saga: VeryDarkMan arrives N’Assembly to testify

Prince Odutola3 months ago3 months ago02 mins

Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, has arrived at the national assembly. VeryDarkMan will testify before the house of representatives joint committee on financial crimes and reformatory institutions, over bribery allegations against officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and Haliru Nababa, controller-general of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS). Dressed in a flowing traditional attire, VDM as he is also known, sauntered into the green chamber with Deji Adeyanju, his lawyer, in tow. Ola Olukoyode, chairman of the EFCC, is represented at the hearing by Michael Nzekwe, his chief of staff. Haliru Nababa, controller-general of the NCoS, is also in the building. Idris Okuneye, aka Bobrisky, is yet to arrive, but Avwerosuoghene Omuvwie, his lawyer, is in the chamber. VeryDarkMan had shared an audio of Bobrisky claiming she bribed some EFCC officials with N15 million to drop the money laundering charge against her. On Thursday, the lower legislative chamber resolved to probe the allegations against the anti-graft agency and the NCoS. Bobrisky was released on August 5, after she was sentenced to six months in prison on April 12 for abusing the naira. In the purported recording, the crossdresser also claimed that her “godfather”, alongside Nababa, ensured she served the six-month sentence in a private apartment and not in prison.

EFCC: Why Bobrisky slams N1bn suit on VeryDarkMan

Prince Odutola3 months ago3 months ago04 mins

Fresh facts have emerged on Nigerian cross-dresser, Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, for filling a lawsuit against internet activist and influencer, VeryDarkMan. The legal battle stems from VDM sharing a voice recording, which he alleged was that of Bobrisky claiming to have bribed officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, with N15 million to drop the money laundering charge against him. Bobrisky, however, has denied the claims, stating that the voice recordings purportedly implicating him in any wrongdoing were artificially generated using AI technology. Sharing a letter from her lawyers via his social media account, Bobrisky sued VDM for N1 billion as damages and gave him 24 hours to publish a written and video recording apology. The House of Representatives has launched an investigation into bribery allegations against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS). The allegations, made by VeryDarkMan, claimed that the EFCC dropped money laundering charges against Idris Okuneye, aka Bobrisky, after receiving N15 million. Rep Patrick Umoh, representing Ikot Ekpene/Essien Udim/Obot Akara Federal Constituency, Akwa Ibom State, sponsored the motion during Thursday’s plenary, expressing concern over the damaging allegations. He emphasized the negative image of Nigeria as a corrupt nation and the need for urgent action. Addressing his colleagues, Umoh expressed concern over the widely circulated publication by VeryDarkMan against the EFCC and the NCS. He said, “The publication alleges that the EFCC dropped money laundering charges against Idris Okuneye, also known as Bobrisky upon collection of the sum of N15,000, 000. “The publication alleges that Idris Okuneye, upon conviction for abuse and defacing of the Naira, by the court, did not serve his time at the Nigeria Correctional Service, but was lodged outside the confines of the service. “We are disturbed about the damning allegations against Nigerian critical law enforcement agencies-the EFCC and the NCS established by this hallowed chambers to fight correction and incarcerate persons convicted of a crime for correctional purposes respectively.” He also added that the negative image and portrayal of Nigeria as a corrupt nation in the publication should not be swept under the carpet. Speaker Tajudeen Abbas who presided over the plenary session, referred it to the Committees on Financial Crimes and Reformatory Institutions.

Bobrisky considers suicide

Prince Odutola3 months ago3 months ago02 mins

Popular Nigerian cross dresser Idris Olarenwaju Okuneye also known as Bobrisky is considering taking his life following the raging controversies over his incarceration. Mr Okuneye alleged to have served his jail term at a private residence and not at the Correctional Facility in Kirikiri, Lagos. In a post on his Instagram field on Thursday, Bobrisky wrote; “I have never in my life thought about suicide but now it is coming to my head seeing what human beings are doing to their fellow human just in the name you want to bring them down by force or because you don’t like them (sic). “I don’t need sympathy from anyone. “People I might need sympathy from are my late parents. “But who will fight for you? “Friends? “Haters you won.” Mr. Idris’s situation remains cloudy as at press time as he has deleted all the pictures on his Instagram. Meanwhile, the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede has ordered immediate investigation of alleged bribery allegations imputed to some officers of the Commission by Bobrisky in a viral video circulating across the country. Okuneye, an ex-convict had alleged in the video powered by Martins Vincent Otse (a.k.a VeryDarkMan) that some unnamed officers of the EFCC collected the sum of N15,000,000 (Fifteen Million Naira) only from him to drop money laundering charges against him.

Olukoyede orders probe of N15m Bobrisky’s allegation against EFCC Officers

Prince Odutola3 months ago3 months ago02 mins

Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede has ordered immediate investigation of alleged bribery allegations imputed to some officers of the Commission by Idris Okuneye (a.ka.Bobrisky) in a viral video circulating across the country. Okuneye, an ex-convict had alleged in the video powered by Martins Vincent Otse (a.k.a VeryDarkMan) that some unnamed officers of the EFCC collected the sum of N15,000,000 (Fifteen Million Naira) only from him to drop money laundering charges against him. In a swift reaction, the EFCC’s boss has constituted a team of Investigators to critically look into the allegations. To this end, the Commission hereby invites both Okuneye and Otse to make themselves available at its Lagos Directorate to assist investigators unearth the alleged bribery. The EFCC wishes to assure the public that the allegations would be thoroughly investigated and the result of the findings made public accordingly. The Commission is committed to its core values of integrity, courage, professionalism and collaboration at all times.