The Federal Government of Nigeria has ordered “an unconditional and comprehensive investigation into the allegations of bribery and corruption within the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS)”.
Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, disclosed this in a statement issued Wednesday in Abuja and signed by his Special Assistant on Media, Babatunde Alao.
Social activist, Martins Otse popularly known as VeryDarkMan had in a live Facebook post on Tuesday evening released a leaked audio clip which he purported to be that of cross-dresser, Idris Okuneye (aka Bobrisky), discussing with another person about how his godfather ensured that he did not sleep in the Custodial Centre, having been sentenced to six months in prison for mutilating the nation’s currency (Naira).
The audio clip also alleged that top officials of Nigeria’s anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) demanded a bribe of N15m from him to drop money laundering charges against him.
Alao in the statement said the minister unequivocally condemned the alleged reprehensible behaviour, emphasizing that any form of indiscipline, unprofessionalism, and corruption will be met with zero tolerance and severe consequences within the paramilitary services under the Ministry’s purview.
“The Ministry will not tolerate any compromise on its core values of integrity, transparency, and accountability. We will leave no stone unturned in rooting out corruption and ensuring that those found culpable face the full wrath of the law,” Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo said.
“The Minister has called for a special investigative team headed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, to probe these allegations and submit a comprehensive report.
“The Minister reassures the public that the investigation will be rigorous, transparent, and impartial, and that appropriate disciplinary actions will be taken against any personnel found guilty”, the statement added.
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