The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has voiced concerns regarding claims that officials from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) accepted a N15 million bribe to dismiss a money laundering case against Idris Okuneye, widely known as Bobrisky.
In a statement from its President, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, the NBA commended the EFCC for quickly initiating an investigation into these allegations and called for an independent inquiry by the Attorney-General of the Federation and the National Security Adviser’s Office.
Labeling the allegations as troubling, the NBA stressed the importance of a comprehensive investigation to ascertain whether the bribe was actually paid and to examine if such practices are used to manipulate charges in criminal cases. The organization highlighted the need to evaluate the transparency of the investigative process and the protocols for prosecuting defendants.
Moreover, the NBA urged the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) to clarify accusations that Bobrisky did not serve his sentence in a correctional facility and to provide detailed information about the conditions of his sentence.
"The NBA recognizes that all accused individuals and entities are presumed innocent until proven guilty," the statement noted. "However, we demand a prompt and thorough investigation to uncover the truth. Should any public official be found guilty, appropriate legal actions must be taken. If it is confirmed that Bobrisky served his sentence outside a Correctional Facility in violation of the law and a court order, those responsible must be prosecuted and dismissed. Anyone found complicit should face the full extent of the law," the NBA concluded.