Carryout independent investigation on Bobrisky’s saga, NBA urges AGF, NSA
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has advised the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi (SAN); and the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu to conduct their private investigation into the ongoing allegations levelled against controversial crossdresser, Idris Okuneye aka Bobrisky.
Recall that a social media activist, Martins Otse known as VeryDarkMan, in a viral video on Tuesday claimed that a leaked voice call was made by Bobrisky.
In the leaked audio, the crossdresser informed a friend that some officers of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) collected ₦15 million from him to dismiss money laundering charges against him.
He also claimed that he spent the six-month jail term in a lodge instead of the correctional center.
Reacting on Wednesday, the NBA President, Afam Osigwe said EFCC officers found culpable must be dismissed and prosecuted.
In its statement, the NBA said, “The allegation of bribery to reduce or drop charges is very disturbing. 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.”
“The NBA therefore demands that the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) not only respond to the allegation that Bobrisky did not serve his time in a correctional facility but also provide transparent details on the conditions under which Bobrisky served his sentence.
“If it is proven that he was allowed to serve his sentence outside a Correctional Facility, in breach of the law and a court order, the officers and officials responsible must be prosecuted and dismissed from service.”
The NBA asked the AGF and the NSA to conduct independent investigations into the allegations.
“We also call upon the Attorney General of the Federation, EFCC, and the Office of the National Security Adviser to independently investigate allegations that a convict paid a bribe to be allowed to serve prison time in a private residence instead of in a Correctional Facility, as well as the allegation that a bribe was demanded in exchange for a government pardon.
“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.
“We believe that this investigation will provide the individuals named in these allegations the opportunity to clarify their roles (if any) in this matter. If these allegations are found to be true, it would not only mock our correctional system but also serve as a wake-up call for necessary reforms in our prosecutorial and correctional processes.
“The NBA shall appoint eminent members of the legal profession to monitor this situation and ensure that due process is followed,” the statement partly read.
Bobrisky has since denied the allegations, stating that they are malicious and a ploy to bring him down.
