Controversial social media influencer, Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, appeared before the House of Representatives Joint Committee on Financial Crimes and Reformatory Institutions on Monday, where he disclosed how he obtained a controversial phone recording involving crossdresser Idris Okuneye, widely known as Bobrisky.
The blogger admitted to having the recording, which had caused a stir on social media, during the hearing. Initially, VeryDarkMan refused to address the committee in Bobrisky’s absence, as Bobrisky had sent a lawyer instead of attending in person. However, lawmakers insisted that the blogger address the matter, threatening to invoke legislative powers and order his arrest if he refused.
Following the intervention of his lawyer, VeryDarkMan eventually complied and provided an explanation about the recording. He stated that he had received the audio from an individual to whom Bobrisky allegedly owed money. He submitted part of the recording to the committee for review.
The recording in question involved Bobrisky purportedly claiming to have bribed officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) with N15 million to drop a money laundering case against him. In the same recording, Bobrisky allegedly claimed that his “godfather” and the Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Haliru Nababa, ensured that he served a six-month sentence in a private apartment instead of a prison facility.
In response to the viral audio, the EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, confirmed that the Commission’s Chairman had ordered an immediate investigation into the allegations. Bobrisky, however, denied the claims, stating that the recording was fake and that he had served his jail term without any undue privileges.
The House of Representatives had resolved to investigate the bribery allegations following a motion sponsored by lawmaker Patrick Umoh from Akwa Ibom. As a result, the joint committee summoned Bobrisky, VeryDarkMan, EFCC Secretary Olukoyode, and NCoS Controller-General Nababa to appear with all relevant officers involved in the case.
The investigation aims to probe the alleged misconduct by the EFCC and NCoS officials and address the serious claims made in the recording.
