Activist attorney Deji Adeyanju has called for the dismissal and prosecution of any Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) officers implicated in the ₦15 million bribe allegation made by popular crossdresser, Bobrisky. Adeyanju emphasized that investigating the claim is vital to curbing corruption and upholding the rule of law.
In a statement signed by Adeyanju on Wednesday, he praised the EFCC for promptly committing to probe the bribery allegations. Bobrisky had alleged, in a widely circulated audio clip shared by another activist, VeryDarkMan, that he paid ₦15 million to EFCC officials to have money laundering charges against him dropped. The crossdresser also claimed that his godfather intervened to prevent him from serving a six-month prison sentence at Kirikiri.
Though Bobrisky has since denied the accusations, calling the audio clip fake, Adeyanju lauded the anti-graft agency’s decision to investigate the matter, urging that those found guilty should face legal consequences.
However, Adeyanju said: “I commend the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for swiftly committing to investigate the bribery allegations made by Idris Okuneye, also known as Bobrisky, against some EFCC officers.
“The allegations, which involve the collection of N15 million to drop money laundering charges, are serious and deserve thorough attention.”
“The EFCC’s prompt response demonstrates its probable commitment to integrity and professionalism. I urge the Commission to ensure a thorough investigation and bring the perpetrators to book if found guilty.”
“This will reinforce the public’s trust in the EFCC’s mandate to fight corruption.”
“Transparency and accountability are essential in maintaining public confidence. I encourage the EFCC to keep the public informed about the investigation’s progress and findings.”
“I believe this investigation is crucial in upholding the rule of law and combating corruption in Nigeria.”
Meanwhile, the Coalition of United Political Parties, CUPP, has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to remove the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, citing the agency’s “gross incompetence” in its current operations.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the CUPP expressed disappointment over what it described as two critical errors in judgment by the EFCC on the day the former governor reportedly presented himself to the Commission.
The statement, co-signed by 10 members of the Coalition’s Media, Strategy, Steering, Financial Contact, and Mobilisation Committees, was made available to journalists in Abuja.
The CUPP statement reads: “It is with utmost disappointment that the Coalition of United Political Parties, CUPP, has viewed the ongoing drama between the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello.
“We are aware that there has been some inexplicable back-and-forth between the EFCC and the former Governor for some months now, which has generated considerable public interest across Nigeria.”
“Not a few Nigerians have been eager to see the day that the former Governor would be brought in to defend the allegations of humongous corruption allegations leveled against him by the anti-graft agency”, the statement read in part.