The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has raised concerns over allegations that officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) accepted a N15 million bribe to dismiss a money laundering case involving Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky.
The crossdresser had been convicted but is now at the center of a corruption scandal involving the EFCC.
In a statement by its President, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, the NBA commended the EFCC for its swift response in launching an internal investigation but emphasized the need for an independent inquiry led by the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA).
Describing the situation as “disturbing,” the NBA highlighted the necessity of a thorough probe to verify whether the bribe was indeed paid and whether there are broader issues involving officials who manipulate charges in exchange for payments.
The association stated that the investigation should also evaluate the transparency of the EFCC’s investigative process and how charges are pursued in court.
In addition to these concerns, the NBA called on the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) to clarify rumors that Bobrisky had not served his sentence in a correctional facility.
They urged the NCoS to “provide clear details on the conditions under which his sentence was carried out.”
“The NBA acknowledges that all individuals and institutions accused are entitled to the presumption of innocence until proven guilty,” the association stated.
“However, we insist that a swift and thorough investigation be carried out to establish the truth. If any public official is found culpable, appropriate legal actions must be taken to hold them accountable”.
“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”.
Any person found complicit must face the full weight of the law,” the NBA added.
