Minister orders probe of alleged bribery in correctional service

In a statement released yesterday, the Minister’s media aide, Babatunde Alao, condemned the alleged misconduct in the strongest terms.

Tunji-Ojo stressed that any acts of indiscipline, unprofessionalism, or corruption will not be tolerated and will face severe repercussions within the paramilitary services under the Ministry’s jurisdiction.

“The Ministry will not accept any compromise concerning its core values of integrity, transparency, and accountability. We are committed to eliminating corruption and ensuring that those responsible face the full consequences of the law,” Tunji-Ojo asserted.

The Minister has appointed a special investigative team, led by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, to examine these allegations and provide a comprehensive report.

He assured the public that the investigation will be thorough, transparent, and fair, with appropriate disciplinary measures imposed on any personnel found guilty.

This investigation follows allegations made by Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, in a video released by blogger Martins Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan, implicating a senior officer of the Nigerian Correctional Service.

In the widely circulated audio, Bobrisky further claimed to have bribed officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) with N15 million to have a money laundering charge against him dismissed.

In response, the EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, stated on Tuesday that the Commission’s Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, has assembled a team of investigators to thoroughly examine the matter.

Bobrisky was released from the Kirikiri Correctional Centre on August 5 after serving six months in custody. He had been sentenced by a Federal High Court in Lagos in April after pleading guilty to a charge of naira abuse filed against him by the EFCC, with no option for bail.