BREAKING: Reps Launches Investigation, Suspends Prison Controllers

BREAKING: Reps Launches Investigation, Suspends Prison Controllers

The House of Representatives initiated an investigation on Thursday concerning allegations of bribery involving officials from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Nigerian Correctional Service.

The controversial figure, Idris Okuneye, also known as Bobrisky, is at the center of the probe for allegedly bribing these officials.

Bobrisky, who had been convicted and sentenced for the misuse of naira notes, purportedly claimed in a voice note shared by Martins Otse (VeryDarkMan) that influential figures helped him serve his sentence in a private apartment rather than in prison.

In response to these troubling allegations, the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board announced the suspension of two deputy controllers in charge of the Kirikiri Medium Custodial Centre in Lagos.

Those suspended include Michael Anugwa and Sikiru Adekunle, along with another officer, Ogbule Obinna from Afikpo, Ebonyi State, who allegedly allowed an inmate to leave the facility.

The suspension of these officials, as announced by Ja’afaru Ahmed, the board’s secretary, is intended to facilitate a thorough investigation into the accusations brought against them.

The statement reads: “Following the viral video trending on social media on alleged infractions by officers of the Nigerian Correctional Service relating to Mr. Idris Okuneye, widely known as Bobrisky, the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board has suspended forthwith the following senior officers of the service:

“Michael Anugwa, DCC, In-Charge of MSCC, Kirikiri, Lagos State; and Sikiru Adekunle, DCC, In-Charge of MSCC, Kiri-kiri, Lagos State.”

According to Ja’afaru Ahmed, The outcome of the investigation will be made public once it is concluded.

“Also, the board has suspended ASC II Ogbule Obinna, serving at the MSCC, Afikpo, Ebonyi State, for allegedly accompanying a convicted inmate out of the Custodial Centre to a location outside the facility.

“In another related development, the board has equally suspended another senior officer of the Service, Iloafonsi Kevin Ikechukwu, Deputy Controller of Corrections, In-Charge of Medium Security Custodial Centre, Kuje, Abuja, for allegedly receiving money on behalf of an inmate,” the statement added.

Furthermore, the House of Representatives decided to delve into the bribery claims involving the aforementioned government agencies following a motion of urgent public importance raised by Patrick Umoh, the representative of Ikot Ekpene/Essien Udim/Obot Akara Federal Constituency, Akwa Ibom State.

Umoh addressed his colleagues, voicing concerns about VeryDarkMan’s publication criticizing the EFCC and NCS.

He stressed that Nigeria’s negative image due to corruption must be addressed, not dismissed.

He said, “The publication alleges that the EFCC dropped money laundry charges against Idris Okuneye, also known as Bobrisky, upon collection of the sum of N15,000, 000.

“The publication alleges that Idris Okuneye, upon conviction for abuse and defacing of the naira, by the court, did not serve his time at the Nigeria Correctional Service, but was lodged outside the confines of the service.

“We are disturbed about the damning allegations against Nigerian critical law enforcement agencies, the EFCC and the NCS, established by this hallowed chambers to fight corruption and incarcerate persons convicted of crimes for correctional purposes respectively.”

In response, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas referred the motion to the Financial Crimes and Reformatory Institutions Committees for investigation and reporting within three legislative weeks.