The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has taken a firm stance in response to serious allegations of bribery and misconduct involving officers of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Nigerian celebrity Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky.
The NBA has urged the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), and the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, to conduct an independent investigation into the claims brought forward by blogger Martins Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan.
The allegations, which have sparked widespread public concern, center on claims that some EFCC officers allegedly collected a bribe of ₦15 million from Bobrisky to dismiss money laundering charges against him.
VeryDarkMan’s viral video accuses the cross-dresser of paying the sum to avoid prosecution following an incident in April, where he was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment for naira spraying at an event.
The blogger further alleged that Bobrisky used his influence and wealth to secure preferential treatment while serving his sentence, including paying to serve time in a more comfortable environment than the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) facility.
NBA President Afam Osigwe, in a statement issued on Wednesday, stressed that such allegations threaten the integrity of Nigeria’s legal system and require immediate and thorough investigation.
“The allegation of bribery to reduce or drop charges is very disturbing,” Osigwe remarked. “An urgent and thorough investigation is needed to determine whether bribes were paid or are sometimes paid to influence the nature of charges brought against defendants in criminal cases.”
In response to the mounting pressure, EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede has ordered an internal investigation into the bribery accusations and invited both Bobrisky and VeryDarkMan for questioning.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Correctional Service has launched a separate inquiry into whether Bobrisky’s prison sentence was manipulated in exchange for money.
While Bobrisky has vehemently denied all the allegations, the NBA has called for a transparent investigation. The association demands that the NCoS clarify the conditions under which Bobrisky served his sentence, stating that if it is proven that he was allowed to serve time outside a correctional facility, in violation of the law, those involved must be held accountable.
The NBA also highlighted broader concerns, noting that these allegations, if proven true, would expose severe flaws in Nigeria’s justice system.
“The suggestion that convicts can freely serve their time in private residences and potentially procure a pardon by paying a bribe undermines the very foundation of our criminal justice system and erodes public confidence in the system,” the statement reads.
As the investigation proceeds, the NBA has pledged to monitor the case closely, emphasizing that justice must be served, and any officers found culpable must be prosecuted and dismissed from service.
The scandal has drawn significant public attention, and calls for accountability and reform are growing louder. If these allegations of bribery are confirmed, it would not only damage the credibility of the EFCC but also highlight the urgent need for reforms in Nigeria’s prosecution and correctional processes.
For now, all eyes are on the investigation as the country waits to see whether the Nigerian justice system will rise to the challenge of ensuring transparency and accountability in this high-profile case.