The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has ordered a thorough investigation into allegations of bribery and corruption within the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS).
The directive comes in response to a recently released audio recording by popular influencer Martins Vincent Otse, known as VeryDarkMan, which features Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, allegedly confessing to bribing officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) with N15 million and the Controller General of the NCoS, Haliru Nababa, to evade incarceration.
In a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja, Tunji-Ojo’s media aide, Babatunde Alao, conveyed the minister’s commitment to integrity within the service.
Tunji-Ojo condemned the alleged actions, asserting that any form of indiscipline, unprofessionalism, and corruption would not be tolerated and would face severe repercussions.
“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,” he said.
Meanwhile, the minister has called for a special investigative team headed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, to probe these allegations and submit a comprehensive report.
Tunji-Ojo reassured the public that the investigation would be rigorous, transparent, and impartial, adding that appropriate disciplinary actions would be taken against any personnel found guilty.
However, Bobrisky, has since reacted to the viral voice recording in an Instagram post on Wednesday, describing the audio as fake.
“My attention has been drawn to a false voice recording circulating online, claiming I paid the EFCC N15 million and that I was never in prison.
“I did not pay any money to the EFCC; this is a blatant lie. I served my full term and have been released. Please, ignore any misleading information.”
Bobrisky was released from the Kirikiri Correctional Centre on August 5 after six months in custody.