By Olusegun Olanrewaju
The Federal Government yesterday announced the suspension of some senior Correctional Service officers over bribery allegations linked to the controversial crossdresser Idris Okuneye, alias Bobrisky.
This came as the social media celebrity opened up about struggling with suicidal thoughts.
The crossdresser, whose real name is Idris Okuneye, was released from prison on August 5 after he was sentenced to six months on April 12 for abusing the naira.
Her latest ordeal, however, started on Tuesday after a blogger, Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, alleged in viral videos that officers of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) accepted N15m from Bobrisky to drop money laundering charges against him.
This followed another scandal involving Bobrisky after a naira-spraying incident in April, which led to his being sentenced to six months in prison.
The blogger also claimed that Bobrisky paid millions of naira to secure preferential treatment in prison.
The self-proclaimed transgender later described the viral recording as “fake.”
He argued that he did not pay any amount to the anti-graft agency.
The social media celebrity also insisted, “I served my term in prison.”
Bobrisky’s denial came after the anti-graft agency invited him and VeryDarkMan over bribery allegations against its officials.
EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede also ordered an immediate investigation into the allegations.
Similarly, Falz, the rapper, appeared to have confirmed some of VeryDarkMan’s claims in a warning letter to the activist.
In the letter demanding the activist to retract his allegation, Falz claimed the crossdresser called him to seek financial assistance of “N3m to pay some officials to get a VIP prison section,” — which he declined.
But on Thursday, in a post on Instastory, Bobrisky revealed the emotional toll of the bribery saga.
The crossdresser said, “I have never thought about suicide in my life until now.”
He also emphasised that he does not seek sympathy but longs for understanding and support.
“I have never in my life thought about suicide in my life but now it is coming to my head seeing what human beings are doing to their fellow human just in the name you want to bring them down by force or because you don’t like them,” he wrote.
“I don’t need no sympathy from anyone. People I might have needed sympathy from are my late parents. But who will fight for you? Friends? Haters, you won.”
He also deleted all pictures and videos on his Instagram account.
However, a statement issued yesterday by the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), the Civil Defence, and the Fire and Immigration Services Board announced the suspensions following a viral video highlighting alleged misconduct by the officers.
The statement, signed by Ja’afaru Ahmed, explained that the suspension allows for a thorough investigation into the allegations.
It also promised that the concerned authorities would make its findings public once the investigation is completed.
According to the release, the suspended officers include the Deputy Comptroller of Corrections (DCC) in charge of the Medium Security Custodial Centre (MSCC) in Kirikiri, Lagos, Michael Anugwa, and the Deputy Comptroller of Corrections (DCC) in charge of the Maximum Security Custodial Centre (MSCC), Sikiru Adekunle, also in Kirikiri, Lagos.
Additionally, the Board has suspended ASC II Ogbule Samuel Obinna, stationed at the Medium Security Custodial Centre (MSCC) in Afikpo, Ebonyi State, for allegedly escorting a convicted inmate out of the facility to an unauthorised location.
The statement added, “In another related development, the Board has equally suspended another Senior Officer of the Service, Iloafonsi Kevin Ikechukwu, Deputy Controller of Corrections (DCC), In-Charge of Medium Security Custodial Centre (MSCC), Kuje- Abuja, for allegedly receiving monies on behalf of an inmate.”
