The Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo has ordered a comprehensive investigation into bribery allegations within the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS).
The directive came after VeryDarkMan, the activist, shared a video online wherein Bobrisky claimed she bribed some Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) officials with N15,000,000 to drop the money laundering charges against her.
The crossdresser, whose birth name is Idris Okuneye, was released from prison on 5 August after she was sentenced to six months on 12 April for abusing the naira.
But in the footage, the crossdresser claimed her “godfather” alongside Haliru Nababa, the controller general of the NCoS, ensured she served the six-month sentence in a private apartment, and not the prison.
“On my way to prison, my godfather called and assured me I wouldn’t enter prison. He told me not to worry and said he would arrange an apartment near the prison and speak to the Comptroller General of Prisons in Abuja,” she had said in the viral clip.
Bobrisky would later deny the bribery claim, arguing that the viral recording was “fake”. The social media celebrity also insisted that “I served my term in prison”.
The crossdresser’s denial came after the EFCC invited her and VeryDarkMan over bribery allegations against its officials.
In a statement released on Wednesday by Alao Babatunde, his media aide, the interior minister condemned the alleged behaviour of the NCoS.
Tunji-Ojo also vowed to ensure that “those found culpable face the full wrath of the law”.
“The Minister of Interior has directed an unconditional and comprehensive investigation into the allegations of bribery and corruption within the Nigerian Correctional Service,” the statement reads.
“Tunji-Ojo unequivocally condemned the alleged reprehensible behaviour, emphasizing that any form of indiscipline, unprofessionalism, or corruption will be met with zero tolerance and severe consequences within the paramilitary services under the Ministry’s purview.
“The ministry will not tolerate any compromise on its core values of integrity, transparency, and accountability. We will leave no stone unturned in rooting out corruption and ensuring that those found culpable face the full wrath of the law.”
The statement revealed that Magdalene Ajani, the ministry’s permanent secretary, would head the team investigating the allegations.
“The minister reassures the public that the investigation will be rigorous, transparent, and impartial, and that appropriate disciplinary actions will be taken against any personnel found guilty,” it added.
