Bobrisky, VDM, NCoS and Nigeria’s criminal justice system

The various bribery and corruption allegations levied, and surrounding some celebrities, questioning the propriety of working conditions in the country’s correctional centres require full investigation by the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, to erase suspected irregularities in the centres, and sanitise the criminal justice system. The Federal Government has recently suspended several senior officers of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) over bribery allegations involving the controversial transgender, Idris Olanrewaju Okuneye, widely known as Bobrisky.

Notably, Bobrisky had been sentenced to six months in prison by the Federal High Court in Lagos, without the option of a fine, for the abuse of the Nigerian currency, the Naira. However, Bobrisky’s conviction and jail term have been followed by significant scandals. For instance, blogger and influencer, Martins Vincent Otse, known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), alleged in viral videos that Bobrisky bribed officials of the Nigerian Correctional Service and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to avoid serving his full prison sentence. VDM claimed that Bobrisky paid ₦15 million to unnamed EFCC officials to drop money laundering charges against him. Additionally, VDM alleged that Bobrisky did not serve his jail term in a prison cell but in an apartment arranged by an unnamed godfather who had spoken to the Controller General of Nigerian Correctional Service. He also alleged that Folarin Falana, popularly known as Falz, a musician and son of senior lawyer Femi Falana (SAN), was arranging for his father to secure a Presidential pardon for Bobrisky for the sum of ₦10 million. In a newly-released audio, VDM claimed that Bobrisky stated he had paid ₦5 million in advance to a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) to lobby for the Presidential pardon.

Meanwhile, Bobrisky has filed a defamation lawsuit against VDM, demanding ₦1 billion in damages. The legal action stems from an audio recording released by VDM, in which he claimed that Bobrisky had bribed EFCC officials. Bobrisky has argued that the recording was artificially generated to defame him. In addition to the monetary damages, Bobrisky has demanded a public apology and retraction of the content, with a threat to escalate the matter in court if his demands are not met within 24 hours. In response, VDM denied the accusations and threatened to counter-sue Bobrisky for the same amount, ₦1 billion, alleging that his integrity and credibility were at stake.

On their part, Femi Falana (SAN) and his son Falz have denied any discussions with Bobrisky and have threatened a defamation suit against VDM. In response to these allegations, the Federal Government has suspended several senior prison officials, including the Deputy Controllers of Corrections at the Kirikiri Medium and Maximum Security Custodial Centres. The suspensions are part of an ongoing investigation into possible infractions and corruption within the correctional system. The EFCC has also invited both Bobrisky and VDM to provide further information to aid in its investigation.

Following the resolution of the House of Representatives to investigate allegations of bribery against the EFCC and others, the House Joint Committee summoned the EFCC chairman, Bobrisky, and VDM to appear before it. At the House hearing on September 30, Bobrisky was absent, with his lawyer citing illness as the reason, while VDM appeared but refused to speak until Bobrisky was present. However, addressing the House Joint Committee, the Deputy Controller at the Kirikiri Correctional Facility, Lagos, DCC Michael Anuhqta, revealed that they placed Bobrisky in a private house to prevent him from being attacked because he had the body of a woman. The case is still under investigation, with the House probing deeper into the corruption claims involving both the EFCC and the NCoS.

The above scandals, accusations, counter-accusations, claims, and counter-claims have cast a negative light on the practices within the EFCC and the NCoS, revealing potential loopholes in accountability and raising questions about fairness and integrity in Nigeria’s law enforcement and correctional processes. There is an inherent danger in allowing Bobrisky free rein to flaunt his transgender activities in public. His provocative posts, explicit content, and public feuds are seen as negative influences, particularly on younger audiences. His public persona and actions may perpetuate stereotypes or misunderstandings about gender identity and sexuality, especially in a conservative society like Nigeria.

According to reports credited to VDM, Bobrisky allegedly claimed that the EFCC dropped money laundering charges against him after he paid them ₦15 million. He suggested that the charges were unfounded, accusing the EFCC of targeting him unjustly due to his wealth and high profile. He also alleges that instead of serving his six-month prison sentence in a regular custodial centre, he was placed in a well-furnished apartment outside the prison facility. This claim has implicated several senior prison officials, leading to their suspension pending investigation. It suggests the possibility of preferential treatment for influential or wealthy individuals within the prison system. These events have drawn significant public attention, especially due to the involvement of prominent figures and the accusations of systemic corruption within the NCoS.

The Tinubu government, through the Minister of Interior, should ensure that a thorough, transparent and independent investigation of all the parties involved and the bribery allegations is urgently carried out. Incidentally, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and others are equally urging the government to conduct an independent investigation into the matters, emphasising the need to address systemic corruption if these allegations prove true. If any officials, including those from the EFCC or NCoS, senior lawyers, Bobrisky or VDM, are found culpable, they should be brought to justice no matter whose ox is gored. If the thorough investigation proves that officials of the Nigerian Correctional Service and EFCC were involved in corrupt practices, the government must take swift action to penalise them. We believe that dismissing and prosecuting guilty officials will serve as a deterrent against future misconduct. To maintain public trust, updates on the progress of the investigation should be shared openly. This will ensure that the public knows the government is committed to addressing corruption in its institutions.

This is the time for broader judicial and correctional reforms to restore public confidence in the Nigerian justice system. The government should use this opportunity to strengthen oversight mechanisms, ensure stricter enforcement of anti-corruption laws, and reform correctional services to eliminate privileges that undermine justice.