*VeryDarkMan appears before Reps panel
* Lawmakers insist Bobrisky must appear in person
The Nigerian Correctional Service ( NCoS) has insisted that Mr Idris Okuneye, also known as Bobrisky, who was convicted for spraying naira notes at an event, served his jail term at the Kirikiri Maximum Custodial Centre.
NCos’ affirmation came against the backdrop of demand by Reps panel investigation the allegation bribery Nigerian custodial officials who allegedly collected N15m bribe from Bobrisky and kept in a house outside the Kirikiri custodial centre where he was supposed to serve his six-month sentence, that Okuneye, who was represented by his counsel, Averosoghene Omuvwie, be present at the next hearing and be be represented by any counsel.
The Deputy Comptroller of Prisons, Ikoyi Medium Custodial Centre, Micheal Anugwa who debunked the allegation of preferential treatment given to Bobrisky for a fee while answering questions at an investigative hearing organised by the House of Representatives joint Committee on Economic Crimes and Reformatory Institutions, explained that Okuneye was transferred from the Ikoyi Medium Custodial Centre to Kirikiri because of security concerns, after his friends donated branded seats to him in the custodial facility.
The House had at plenary, last Thursday, adopted a motion to probe publications, emanating a social media post from Mr Martins Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan, alleging that the money laundering charges against Okuneye was dropped by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC) and that the latter did not serve his sentence in a custodial centre.
According to parliament, “The publication alleges that the EFCC dropped money laundering charges against Idris Okuneye, also known as Bobrisky, upon collection of the sum of N15,000, 000.
“The publication alleges that Idris Okuneye, upon conviction for abuse and defacing of the naira, by the court, did not serve his time at the Nigeria Correctional Service, but was lodged outside the confines of the service.”
However, Anugwa, who represented the NCoS told the panel that Bobrisky received a total of 39 visitors, while in confinement. The NCS official explained that Bobrisky was kept in a different ward,, because it was discovered that he has both male and female features.
According to him, “During the admission of the inmate (Bobrisky), we discovered that he had two features. We did not know where to place him because for instance, he had breasts. We had to take him to Room 2 in the B-Ward. This is also in line with global best practices as approved by the United Nations.”
Earlier, Otse, who was accompanied to the investigative hearing by his lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, had refused to address the panel, on the ground that Bobrisky was not present.
VeryDarkMan, after he was administered with the oath, told the panel that he would not be saying anything and would be represented by his lawyer because Okuneye was not present. Thereafter, he left the lectern from which he was to address lawmakers.
The lawmakers, infuriated by his actions, insisted that he must return to the lectern, as it is only the chairman of the panel that has the power to discharge him.
Consequently, Billy Osawaru, from Edo State, moved a motion that Otse be arrested and detained for refusing to give evidence in the investigation.
Osawaru said: “We have rules that guide us in the parliament. Mr Chairman, no one man can stall this proceeding. Now that we know that the witness is on oath. At this point, I want to move a motion that the witness refusing to answer to the parliament, the sergeant at arms should be called to arrest and detain the witness. I so move Mr Chairman. The motion was subsequently seconded by Kelechi Nwogu, from Rivers State.
The chairman of the panel, Ginger Onwusibe, in his intervention, said it is not the place of VeryDarkMan to dictate to the parliament. Onwusibe noted that is not his “duty”, if another witness is absent.
Nevertheless, Otse said: “In the voice note, Bobrisky said something about a godfather. It is obvious that there is a godfather somewhere that has made him not come. He has disrespected everybody here by not coming. And you are trying to force me to talk.
“You are already throwing little threats that you will detain me. I will stay in the cell. This is not my first time. I can go and stay there until he is ready to come. But for now, I will not say anything. If I say anything, let me die.”
However, after back and forth, which lasted for about an hour, he agreed to address the lawmakers. Otse, while presenting his evidence to the panel, said he still has more evidence in his custody.
