The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has officially addressed the allegations that it dropped money laundering charges against popular Nigerian social media influencer, Idris Olanrewaju Okuneye (aka Bobrisky), due to a N15 million bribe.
The Commission made this known during a presentation by Ola Olukoyede, the EFCC Chairman, to the Joint House Committee on the Investigation of Disturbing Allegations of Corruption Against the EFCC and the Nigerian Correctional Service on Monday, during which he addressed the controversy surrounding the case and responded to allegations of bribery and corruption.
Olukoyede said , “Given the gravity of the offence which touches on its core values; (integrity, courage, professionalism and collaboration), the Executive Chairman promptly constituted a team to investigate the claim and equally issued a statement through its various social media accounts to that effect.”
The controversy began when Bobrisky, who had been facing charges including money laundering and abuse of the Naira, claimed in a viral video that he had paid EFCC officials to drop some of the charges against him. The video, which was made public by YouTuber Martins Vincent Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan, sparked widespread concern and prompted the EFCC to launch an internal investigation.
In the letter, the EFCC explained that it took the allegations seriously and quickly initiated an internal inquiry. According to the Commission, “Given the gravity of the offence which touches on its core values—integrity, courage, professionalism, and collaboration—the Executive Chairman promptly constituted a team to investigate the claim and issued a statement through its various social media accounts to clarify the situation.”
Bobrisky’s claims were allegedly made during a private conversation with an unidentified individual, in which he alleged that EFCC officials demanded N15 million to drop two specific charges—charges 5 and 6—related to money laundering. However, the EFCC’s investigation into the matter revealed that the viral video was likely an attempt by Bobrisky to solicit financial support from the unidentified individual, rather than a legitimate admission of bribery.
The Commission highlighted multiple inconsistencies in Bobrisky’s statements, including his failure to provide concrete details about the alleged bribe, such as the identities of the officers involved or the method of payment. Additionally, Bobrisky’s claim that his accounts had been frozen was proven to be false, as the EFCC had not issued any Post No Debit (PND) order on his accounts.
The EFCC concluded that Bobrisky fabricated the bribery story to extract money from his associate. “It is noteworthy,” the EFCC stated, “that the Commission extended an invitation to both the ex-convict and VeryDarkMan to assist in identifying the alleged officers. Regrettably, neither has honored the invitation up to this moment.”
Furthermore, the EFCC explained that the decision to drop charges 5 and 6 was due to a legal review conducted by the Special Control Unit against Money Laundering (SCUML), which revealed that Bobrisky’s business entity, “Bob Express,” did not qualify as a Designated Non-Financial Business and Profession (DNFBP). As such, the money laundering charges were not applicable. This legal decision, according to the EFCC, was made in line with due process and under the provisions of Section 216 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015.
The EFCC expressed its frustration with the bribery allegations, stating that the accusations lacked credible evidence and served only to undermine the Commission’s reputation. “The burden of proof lies with the accusers,” the Commission noted, adding that neither Bobrisky nor VeryDarkMan had provided any tangible evidence to support their claims.
The Commission reiterated its commitment to transparency and accountability, calling on the public to come forward with credible information if they possess evidence of wrongdoing by EFCC officials. The EFCC also emphasized that it would not tolerate the spread of false information aimed at discrediting its work and warned that such actions could hinder its fight against corruption.
Addressing the House of Representatives, the EFCC urged lawmakers to ensure that its officers were not wrongfully demonized based on baseless allegations. The Commission reassured the public that its decision to drop the charges was based solely on legal grounds, and it remained open to further investigations if any credible evidence of wrongdoing emerged.
The EFCC also expressed its dedication to protecting the integrity of its officers and emphasized that it would take swift and appropriate action if any corruption or misconduct within its ranks were ever proven.
As the matter unfolds, the EFCC has assured the Nigerian public of its continued vigilance in the fight against corruption, encouraging citizens to report any credible instances of misconduct while warning against the dangers of spreading unverified accusations.
In conclusion, the Commission remains steadfast in its commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring that justice is served transparently. The EFCC’s response to the allegations underscores its dedication to maintaining the integrity of its operations, while its call for further investigations reflects its openness to accountability at all levels.
