Federal Government Suspends Correctional Officers Amid Bobrisky Investigation

The Federal Government of Nigeria has suspended two senior officers from the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) in connection with the case of celebrity cross-dresser Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky. This decision follows serious allegations regarding the conditions of Bobrisky’s incarceration, which has raised eyebrows and prompted official investigations.

The controversy began when a voice recording surfaced, released by social media influencer Martins Vincent Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan. In this audio, Bobrisky allegedly claimed he spent his time in jail for currency abuse in a private apartment rather than in the correctional facility. He was also heard stating that he paid a bribe of N15 million to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to have money laundering charges dropped against him.

In response to these allegations, EFCC Chairman Olu Olukoyede and Minister of Interior Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo ordered an immediate investigation. As part of this inquiry, the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire, and Immigration Services Board suspended two officers directly linked to Bobrisky’s case: Michael Anugwa, the Deputy Controller of Corrections (DCC) at the Medium Security Custodial Centre (MSCC) in Kirikiri, Lagos, and Sikiru Adekunle, the DCC at the Maximum Security Custodial Centre (MSCC), also in Kirikiri.

Additionally, the Board suspended ASC II Ogbule Samuel Obinna, who served at the Medium Security Custodial Centre (MSCC) in Afikpo, Ebonyi State, for allegedly escorting a convicted inmate outside the custodial facility. Another officer, Iloafonsi Kevin Ikechukwu, DCC at the Medium Security Custodial Centre (MSCC) in Kuje, was also suspended for reportedly receiving money on behalf of an inmate.

Ja’afaru Ahmed, the Secretary of the Board stated, “The suspension of these officers is to allow for further investigation into the various allegations. We assure the public that the outcome of the investigation will be made public once it is concluded.”

In a related development, the House of Representatives announced plans to investigate both the EFCC and the NCoS concerning the allegations made against them. This resolution came after a motion was put forward by Patrick Umoh, a representative from Akwa Ibom.

Umoh said, “The house is disturbed by the damning allegations against Nigeria’s critical law enforcement agencies, the EFCC and the NCS. We are worried about the negative image and portrayal of Nigeria as a corrupt nation, and we must set up a committee of individuals of unquestionable integrity to probe these allegations.”

In the midst of these developments, Bobrisky deleted all pictures and videos from his Instagram account, leading to concerns about his mental well-being. He took to Facebook to express his distress, saying he had never considered suicide until now, reflecting on the treatment he has received from others.

He 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 beings just to bring them down. I don’t need sympathy from anyone. The only people I might have needed sympathy from are my late parents. But who will fight for you? Friends? Haters?”

Furthermore, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has called for an independent investigation by the National Security Adviser to ensure a thorough examination of the allegations surrounding Bobrisky’s case and the integrity of the correctional system.