Nigerian crossdresser Idris Okuneye, widely known as Bobrisky, is under fresh investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) following allegations that he offered a ₦15 million bribe to EFCC officials to avoid a money laundering probe. This is alleged to have happened during his earlier arrest.
When Martins Vincent Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan, posted a popular video online, it set off the investigation. In the video, a voice which is said to be that of Bobrisky claimed that unnamed EFCC officers accepted ₦15 million from him to drop money laundering charges and allegedly prevent him from being jailed. The voice also claimed that Bobrisky had avoided serving a prison sentence after being convicted.
Following the video’s circulation, EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede ordered an immediate investigation into the bribery allegations. In a statement, the EFCC confirmed the probe and emphasised the seriousness of the accusations.
“The commission hereby invites both Okuneye and Otse to make themselves available at its Lagos Directorate to assist investigators in unearthing the alleged bribery,” the EFCC said through its head of media and publicity. “The EFCC wishes to assure the public that the allegations would be thoroughly investigated, and the result of the findings made public accordingly.”
Bobrisky Denies Bribery Allegations
Bobrisky, however, has denied the claims, maintaining that he never bribed EFCC officials to drop the charges against him. In response to the viral video, Bobrisky released a statement calling it “fake” and asserted that he had fully served his jail term.
“My attention has been drawn to a fake voice recording circulating on the internet that I paid EFCC 15 million naira, and that I was never in prison… I didn’t pay any EFCC money, which is a very big lie. I served my term in full, and I came out. Discard any false information,” Bobrisky stated.
Bobrisky’s Past Legal Troubles
The crossdresser’s legal issues go back to April 2024, when Justice Abimbola Awogboro of the Federal High Court, Lagos, found him guilty and sentenced him to six months in prison for abusing the Nigerian naira. Bobrisky was jailed after being found guilty of violating currency regulations by mishandling and defacing the naira during public displays in social media posts.
He completed his sentence and was released on August 5, 2024.
EFCC’s Commitment to Transparency
The EFCC has assured the public that the bribery allegations will be thoroughly investigated, and any implicated officers will be held accountable. The agency has called both Bobrisky and Martins Vincent Otse in for questioning in order to clarify the claims made in the viral video.
