October 21, 2024
Adesakin Adefemi
Nigerian crossdresser Idris Okunleye, popularly known as Bobrisky, was reportedly arrested on Monday morning while attempting to escape to the Benin Republic. The arrest occurred at the Seme-Nigerian border during a passport check.
According to a source in the Immigration Service, Bobrisky’s arrest was imminent, as he was trying to evade questioning by the Senate. The Senate had summoned him regarding allegations of corruption and money laundering.
The House of Representatives had earlier summoned the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, and the Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS) over Bobrisky’s claims. He allegedly confessed to paying N15 million to EFCC officials to dismiss charges against him.
The allegations sparked public outrage, raising concerns about the EFCC’s integrity. Bobrisky’s claim of serving his six-month prison sentence in a VIP facility further fueled corruption suspicions.
In response, EFCC spokesman Dele Oyewale announced an internal investigation into the accusations. The EFCC invited Bobrisky and social media influencer VeryDarkMan to aid in the inquiry.
VeryDarkMan, Martins Otse, broke the news of Bobrisky’s arrest on social media. However, efforts to confirm the arrest with the Nigerian Immigration Service spokesman, Kenneth Udo, were unsuccessful.
The arrest comes amid mounting pressure on Bobrisky to answer to the allegations. The Senate’s panel of inquiry meeting was scheduled for Monday, hours after his arrest.
Bobrisky’s case has sparked widespread debate about corruption and accountability in Nigeria. The outcome of the investigation and subsequent actions will be closely watched.
