NBA demands independent probe into Bobrisky’s N15 million bribery allegation against EFCC operatives

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has demanded an independent investigation into allegations of bribery leveled by controversial transgender man, Idris Okuneye alias Bobrisky, against officers of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Bobrisky, who was released from prison a few weeks ago after serving a six-month jail term for naira misuse, in a video aired by a blogger, Martins Otse alias VeryDarkMan, alleged that some EFCC officers demanded ₦15 million to drop money laundering charges against him.

The commission’s chairman, Ola Olukoyede, has since set up a team of investigators to look into the allegations.

In a statement on Wednesday, NBA President, Afam Osigwe, urged the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), and the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Nuhu Ribadu, to conduct an independent investigation into the allegations against the EFCC operatives.

He demanded the dismissal and prosecution of EFCC officers found guilty at the end of the investigation.

The statement read: “Allegations of bribes to reduce or drop charges are deeply disturbing. An urgent and thorough investigation is needed to determine whether bribes were paid or were sometimes paid to influence the nature of charges brought against defendants in criminal cases.

“The NBA therefore demands that the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) not only respond to allegations that Bobrisky is not serving his sentence in a correctional facility, but also provide transparent details of the conditions under which Bobrisky is serving his sentence.

“If it is proven that he was allowed to serve his sentence outside the Correctional Facility, in violation of the law and court orders, the officers and officials responsible must be prosecuted and removed from office.

“We also call on the Attorney General of the Federation, the EFCC and the Office of the National Security Adviser to independently investigate allegations that a prisoner paid a bribe to be allowed to serve his prison sentence in a private residence instead of a Correctional Facility, as well as allegations that a bribe was demanded in exchange for a government pardon.

“The suggestion that prisoners can serve their sentences freely in private residences and potentially obtain pardons by paying bribes undermines the foundations of our criminal justice system and erodes public confidence in the system.”

NBA demands independent probe into Bobrisky’s N15 million bribery allegation against EFCC operatives first appeared on Latest Nigeria News | Headlines from Ripples Nigeria.