Nigerians have criticised the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over their alleged involvement in a N15 million bribe from popular crossdresser Idris Okuneye, otherwise known as Bobrisky.
Bobrisky, who recently completed jail term over abuse of the Naira, claimed that officers of the EFCC demanded and collected a bribe of N15 million to drop money laundering charges against him.
The video, which was shared widely on social media, was powered by another online personality, Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan.
In response, the Executive Chairman of the commission, Ola Olukoyede, has ordered an immediate investigation into the allegations of bribery involving some of the Commission’s officers, including the popular crossdresser.
Olukoyede swiftly constituted a team of investigators to look into the allegations. “The Commission has invited both Okuneye and Otse to present themselves at the EFCC Lagos Directorate to assist with the investigation,” a statement from Dele Oyewale, Head of Media and Publicity for the EFCC, partly read.
However, Bobrisky has denied the bribery allegation levelled against him by the social media influencer.
In an Instagram post on Wednesday morning, Bobrisky denied bribing any EFCC officer to drop money laundering charges against him, saying that he served his jail term.
However, aggrieved Nigerians berated the Commission for allegedly negating their constitutional duties to eliminate financial crimes in the country.
In various statements on X, Nigerians stated that the reputation of the Commission is in ruins because of the alleged involvement of its operatives in financial crimes.
In his reaction, a social media user simply identified as Altruist Light stated that, ”With each passing case, the gap between your actions and public expectations widens. From high-profile corruption cases to allegations against your own, the EFCC’s track record seems to oscillate between inaction and overzealousness without a clear commitment to justice.
”Your assurances of thorough investigations often end in deafening silence. There’s a pattern here: promise action, maybe a few arrests for show, then silence. The public deserves more than just the promise of investigation; they deserve transparent, conclusive outcomes.
”Prove us wrong. Not with more press releases or investigation announcements, but with tangible, transparent results that show justice isn’t just for those who can’t afford to navigate the murky waters of Nigerian politics and corruption. Show us that the EFCC isn’t just another institution that disappoints but one that genuinely serves.”
This publication highlights below the reaction of other Nigerians to the bribery allegation.
Sodje, ”The truth is Nigerians don’t trust this agency. The onus is on you to do the needful and fish out the allegedly dirty officials. Well done, VDM.”
Jehoaaphat, ”They’ve not arrested Yahaya Bello till now; he and many other untouchables in the system are more serious issues than petty socialites like BobRisky and Very Darkman..”
Wilson Adaete, ” Just imagine. Investigate what? Do armed robbers investigate themselves? How? They said you collected money; you say you want to investigate whether you collect money or not?”
Akorode, ”Dear EFCC, if you guys are smart enough, the first thing to do is to reinstitute the money laundering case immediately, knowing under which circumstances it was dropped. Bobrisky is obviously going to deny the allegations, and it’s going to be a messy game.”
Kudos! ”Anything that makes EFCC release a long epistle like this, they definitely have a skeleton in their cupboard.”
Belugo, ”A corrupt agency investigating itself over corruption allegations. It’s like asking a student to grade their own exam and expecting an honest assessment. It only gets messier.”
Balatic: ”The first thing is for the chairman to step aside while the investigation is on to avoid any conflicts and obstructions. This scandal happened under his watch. He needs to step aside. That’s the world’s best practice. He should step aside pending the conclusion of investigations.”
Ishow Leck, ”We hope your system can flush out the bad eggs among you guys. You people are supposed to be an anti-corruption agency. Things like this should not be happening in your system.
“You people are too quick to break into young people’s houses in the name of fighting corruption, but you refused to go after the real corrupt people in the country. Now, the same corruption is what you’ve got to fight within your system. It’s so shameful.”
