Nigerian Government Suspends Senior Correctional Officers Over N15m Bribery Allegations Involving Bobrisky
The Federal Government has taken decisive action against senior officers of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS) amid allegations of bribery involving controversial crossdresser Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky.
A blogger, Martins Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan, had released viral videos alleging that some Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) officers collected ₦15 million from Bobrisky to drop money laundering charges against him. The allegations surfaced after Bobrisky’s sentencing to six months’ imprisonment in April.
According to the blogger, Bobrisky also paid millions of naira to secure a preferred prison location. However, Bobrisky has denied the allegations.
The EFCC and NCS ordered investigations into the allegations, prompting the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board to suspend the implicated officers.
In a statement on Thursday, the Board announced the suspension of the officers to facilitate further investigation into the allegations. The statement, signed by Ja’afaru Ahmed, assured that the investigation’s outcome would be made public upon completion.
The suspended officers include:
- Michael Anugwa, Deputy Controller of Corrections (DCC), Medium Security Custodial Centre (MSCC), Kirikiri, Lagos State
- Sikiru Adekunle, Deputy Controller of Corrections (DCC), Maximum-Security Custodial Centre (MSCC), Kirikiri, Lagos State
Additionally, ASC II Ogbule Samuel Obinna, serving at Medium Security Custodial Centre (MSCC), Afikpo, Ebonyi State, was suspended for allegedly escorting a convicted inmate outside the facility.
In another development, Deputy Controller of Corrections (DCC) Iloafonsi Kevin Ikechukwu, in charge of Medium Security Custodial Centre (MSCC), Kuje-Abuja, was suspended for allegedly receiving money on behalf of an inmate.
The suspensions demonstrate the government’s commitment to addressing corruption and ensuring accountability within the Nigerian Correctional Service.
As the investigation unfolds, the outcome will shed light on the veracity of the allegations and the extent of corruption within the NCS.
