The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has voiced worry about claims that Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) officials took a N15 million bribe to dismiss a money laundering prosecution against convicted crossdresser Idris Okuneye, also known as Bobrisky.
In a statement issued by its President, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, the NBA praised the EFCC for its timely action to examine the matter and urged for an independent investigation by the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA).
The NBA described the claims as troubling and highlighted the need for a thorough investigation to ascertain whether the bribe was actually paid and whether similar practices are used to influence the charges against individuals in criminal cases. The legal authority claimed that the probe would also look into the transparency of the investigative process and the procedures utilized to charge suspects in court.
Furthermore, the NBA ordered the Nigerian penitentiary Service (NCoS) to clarify allegations that Bobrisky did not complete his term in a penitentiary facility and to provide specifics about the conditions under which his sentence was served.
“The NBA acknowledges that all individuals and institutions accused are entitled to the presumption of innocence until proven guilty,” the statement read.
“However, we insist that a swift and thorough investigation be carried out to establish the truth. If any public official is found culpable, appropriate legal actions must be taken to hold them accountable. If it is proven that he was allowed to serve his sentence outside a Correctional Facility, in breach of the law and a court order, the officers and officials responsible must be prosecuted and dismissed from service. Any person found complicit must face the full weight of the law,” the NBA added.
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