Investigative blogger Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, has explained to the Nigerian legislative chamber how he obtained a controversial phone recording of the popular cross-dresser, Bobrisky (real name Idris Okuneye).
On Monday, VeryDarkMan appeared before a House of Representatives panel investigating bribery claims involving the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS).
The panel was set to examine allegations of corruption and bribery involving the EFCC and the prison service, which the blogger had made public. Representatives from the EFCC and NCoS were also present.
Initially, VeryDarkMan refused to speak to the committee since Bobrisky, who was also summoned, had sent a lawyer instead of appearing in person. However, the lawmakers pressured him to address the voice recording issue, even threatening to have him arrested if he didn’t cooperate.
After some back and forth, the blogger’s lawyer convinced him to speak. VeryDarkMan revealed that he got the audio from a person to whom Bobrisky owed money. He submitted part of the recording to the committee as evidence.
In a viral video, VeryDarkMan claimed that Bobrisky had paid ₦15 million to the EFCC to avoid money laundering charges after his extravagant naira-spraying incident in April. The blogger also alleged that Bobrisky bribed officials to receive better treatment in prison, where he was sentenced to six months.
Bobrisky has denied all the allegations, and both the EFCC and NCoS have launched investigations into the claims. The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has also called on the Attorney General of the Federation and the National Security Adviser to conduct an independent investigation into the matter.
