By Seyi Babalola
The Federal Government has warned that no one engaged in the alleged bribery case involving crossdresser Idris Okuneye, alias Bobrisky, will go unpunished.
Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Minister of Interior, made the commitment during a press briefing in Abuja on Friday to commemorate his one-year in office.
The minister had previously ordered a thorough inquiry into claims of bribery and corruption within the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS).
Tunji-Ojo gave the order following reports that Bobrisky, who was sentenced to prison earlier this year, did not serve his jail term inside the correctional centre.
Amid the ongoing investigation, the Nigerian Government, through the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board, on Thursday 26th September, 2024, suspended some senior officers of the country’s prisons service.
Those suspended are Michael Anugwa, Deputy Controller of Corrections (DCC), in-charge of Medium Security Custodial Centre (MSCC), Kiri-kiri, Lagos State; and Sikiru Adekunle, Deputy Controller of Corrections (DCC), in-charge of Maximum-Security Custodial Centre (MSCC), Kiri-kiri, Lagos State.
The Board also suspended ASC II Ogbule Samuel Obinna, serving at the Medium Security Custodial Centre (MSCC), Afikpo, Ebonyi State, for allegedly accompanying a convicted inmate out of the custodial centre to a location outside the facility.
Another senior officer, Iloafonsi Kevin Ikechukwu, Deputy Controller of Corrections (DCC), in-charge of Medium Security Custodial Centre (MSCC), Kuje, Abuja, was suspended for allegedly receiving monies on behalf of an inmate.
Speaking on the bribery and corruption saga that is currently rocking the country’s correctional service, Tunji-Ojo urged Nigerians to be patient, and wait for the conclusion of the investigation.
But he assured that all those involved will face the music.
“We will not spare anybody no matter how highly placed. Let’s be patient. Investigation is on but let’s be assured that nobody will be shielded and nobody will be protected,” the minister stressed.
He added that the investigation will go beyond the allegations involving Bobrisky.
“It is not just about Bobrisky. Of the four people we suspended only two are linked to Bobrisky.The one in Afikpo took somebody out. This will continue. It is not going to stop here.”
Tunji-Ojo described the persons in the investigation committee as people of integrity.
“Look at the integrity of the people that are involved. Let the integrity of the people in the committee give you confidence,” he added.
