The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has raised serious concerns over allegations that officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) accepted a N15 million bribe to drop a money laundering case against Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky.
The NBA is urging an independent investigation to ensure transparency and accountability.
In a statement released on September 25, 2024, NBA President Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, commended the EFCC for initiating an internal probe but stressed the need for further scrutiny by the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA). "We insist that a swift and thorough investigation be carried out to establish the truth," Osigwe stated.
The NBA described the bribery allegations as "disturbing" and emphasized the importance of determining whether such bribes influence the nature of charges brought against defendants in criminal cases. "If any public official is found culpable, appropriate legal actions must be taken to hold them accountable," the NBA added.
Additionally, the NBA called on the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) to clarify the conditions under which Bobrisky served his sentence. There are claims that he did not serve his time in a correctional facility, which would be a breach of the law and court orders. "If it is proven that he was allowed to serve his sentence outside a Correctional Facility, the officers and officials responsible must be prosecuted and dismissed from service," the NBA insisted.
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