Africa (Commonwealth Union) _ In response to allegations of misconduct involving officers of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS) and social media personality Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board has suspended four senior officers. Among them are Michael Anugwa, Deputy Controller of Corrections (DCC) at the Medium Security Custodial Centre (MSCC) in Kiri-kiri, Lagos, and Sikiru Adekunle, also a DCC at the Maximum-Security Custodial Centre in the same location.
Two other officers, Ogbule Samuel Obinna (ASC II) stationed at the MSCC in Afikpo, Ebonyi State, and Iloafonsi Kevin Ikechukwu, Deputy Controller of Corrections at the Kuje Medium Security Custodial Centre in Abuja, have also been suspended. These officers face allegations ranging from escorting inmates outside correctional facilities to receiving payments on behalf of inmates.
The suspensions followed allegations that Bobrisky arranged to serve his prison sentence in a private apartment rather than in a correctional facility, allegedly paying N10 million for this arrangement. The claims were brought to light in a viral audio recording by social media influencer Martins Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan. Bobrisky, convicted in April for abusing the naira, further alleged that he had paid a total of N15 million to officials, including those from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), to have charges reduced.
In response, Nigeria’s Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, launched an immediate investigation into these bribery claims. Tunji-Ojo underscored the government’s commitment to rooting out corruption, stating that no form of misconduct, indiscipline, or unprofessionalism would be tolerated. A special investigative team led by Permanent Secretary Magdalene Ajani has been tasked with conducting a thorough inquiry into the matter.
Bobrisky also claimed that human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) and his son, musician Falz, had offered to help secure a presidential pardon for a N10 million fee. Falana has vehemently denied any involvement in the case and demanded a retraction from Otse. In response, he clarified that he never intended to defame Falana and emphasized the need for a comprehensive investigation into Bobrisky’s allegations.
The investigation is ongoing, and the public has been assured of transparency, with consequences for any personnel found guilty of corruption.
