EFCC Grills Bobrisky Over N15 Million Bribe Claim

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday detained popular cross-dresser Idris Okuneye, better known as Bobrisky, in Abuja following his claim that he paid a N15 million bribe to EFCC officials to avoid money laundering charges. The investigation began after a recording, shared by activist Martins Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan, went viral, in which Bobrisky allegedly claimed that EFCC officials accepted the payment to dismiss his case.

According to EFCC insiders, Bobrisky was flown to Abuja for questioning after he allegedly ignored multiple summonses from both the EFCC and the House of Representatives, where he was asked to substantiate his bribery claims. The EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, confirmed the agency’s actions on Friday morning. “Bobrisky is on his way to Abuja as we speak,” Oyewale said, adding that the cross-dresser could face new charges if the bribery allegations turn out to be false.

Upon his arrival, Bobrisky underwent hours of interrogation and, as of Friday evening, remained in EFCC custody. “He was interrogated for hours upon his arrival here. He is still with us as I speak,” an EFCC official disclosed on Friday night.

Bobrisky’s claim of bribing EFCC officials first surfaced in an audio clip shared by Otse, prompting the anti-graft agency to deny the allegation and set up an investigation panel. EFCC officials insist that the original case was legally dismissed, contradicting Bobrisky’s bribery claims.

Tensions surrounding the case escalated on Thursday night when Bobrisky was detained at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos while attempting to board a KLM flight to London. Bobrisky posted about the incident on Instagram, sharing that he sustained injuries during an altercation with immigration officers.

EFCC representatives defended their decision to apprehend Bobrisky at the airport, stating that he could not leave the country without responding to allegations that he had bribed the agency. “He should know that he cannot sneak out of the country after making such allegations against not only our commission but other agencies,” an EFCC source remarked. “We would get him eventually; it was just a matter of time.”

The EFCC reiterated that Bobrisky’s arrest was due to his failure to appear for questioning. EFCC spokesperson Wilson Uwajaren emphasized at a press briefing that individuals can be charged for providing false information, and particularly for making baseless claims against the EFCC.

Addressing public concerns over the arrest, Oyewale clarified, “Those that are accusing the EFCC of arresting Bobrisky are not aware of the developments concerning his matter. He alleged that he bribed EFCC officers. We have invited him to come and reveal who was involved in the matter.”

According to Oyewale, Bobrisky’s lack of cooperation with both the EFCC and the House of Representatives forced the agency to take further action. “He neither responded to us nor made himself available to the House of Reps,” he stated. “We arrested him because he did not honour our invitation. Once he tells us who collected money from him, we will release him.”

On the timing of Bobrisky’s arrest just as he was boarding his flight, Oyewale simply remarked, “A suspect can be arrested anywhere.”