FG orders investigation into alleged bribery in the prison system

Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo has ordered an unconditional and comprehensive investigation into allegations of bribery and corruption within the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS).

In a statement released on Wednesday, the minister’s media adviser, Babatunde Alao, said the minister had clearly condemned the alleged reprehensible conduct.

The Minister also stressed that any form of indiscipline, unprofessionalism and corruption within the paramilitary services under the Ministry’s jurisdiction will be met with zero tolerance and severe consequences.

“The ministry will not tolerate any compromise on its core values ​​of integrity, transparency and accountability. We will leave no stone unturned to stamp out corruption and ensure that those found guilty face the full force of the law,” Tunji-Ojo said.

The Minister is said to have requested a special investigation team led by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, to investigate these allegations and submit a comprehensive report.

He assured the public that the investigation would be thorough, transparent and impartial and that appropriate disciplinary action would be taken against any employees found guilty.

The investigation follows an allegation of bribery made by Idris Okuneye, also known as Bobrisky, in a video posted by blogger Martins Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan, against a senior official of the Nigerian Correctional Service.

In the viral audio file, Bobrisky also claimed to have bribed officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) with 15 million naira to drop money laundering charges against him.

Subsequently, the Chairman of the EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, set up a team of investigators to critically examine the case.

Bobrisky, who was released from Kirikiri Correctional Centre on August 5, was detained without the possibility of fine by a Federal High Court in Lagos in April after pleading guilty to naira misuse charges brought against him by the EFCC.