The back-and-forth about unpaid debts between social media user VeryDarkMan and socialite Bobrisky has turned into a messy situation that exposed that Bobrisky, who was recently released from prison for naira devaluation, may not have in fact served time in prison.
The issue has since developed into claims of corruption against the Nigerian Correctional Centre, the EFCC, the prison and Justice system, Bobrisky, and her lawyers. This is everything you need to know about the case.
VDM’s accusation
On September 24, 2024, viral social media user Vincent Martins “VeryDarkMan” Otse took to the internet to accuse Idris “Bobrisky” Okuneye of illegally paying the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) the sum of ₦15 million to waive off his money laundering case.
If you remember, in April 2024, Bobrisky was sentenced to six months imprisonment for money mutilation. However, in the video, VDM claimed that Bobrisky didn’t spend his six-month jail term in prison. To corroborate his allegations, VDM shared a voice call recording of someone he said is Bobrisky talking about the details of what happened. In the recording, the person explained how the EFCC collected a ₦15 million bribe to clear the money laundering cases.
In the recording, the names of popular lawyer and human rights activist Femi Falana and his son Folarin “Falz” Falana also came up. The person in the recording spoke about how Falz reached out to Bobrisky to offer legal advice and assured her that her name could be cleared with a pardon.
EFCC’s response
On the night of September 24, 2024, the EFCC boss, Ola Olukayode, responded to the allegations by ordering an immediate investigation. Furthermore, Olukayode has invited VDM and Bobrisky to the Commission’s Lagos office as part of an investigation into the matter. He promised that the findings would be provided to the public.
Abubakar Umar, the spokesperson for the Nigerian Correctional Service, noted that they’re investigating the situation as well.
Bobrisky’s response
On September 25, 2024, Bobrisky addressed the allegations in a Facebook post. She denied the alleged bribery, called the viral call recording “fake”, and stated that she served her six-month prison term at Kirikiri Correctional Centre.
The Falanas’ response
On September 26, 2024, Falz posted a legal document that advised VDM to retract his statements against him and Femi Falana and apologise on his Instagram account in 24 hours.
In less than 24 hours, VDM released another video to address Falz. VDM stated he had a phone call with Falz but the artiste didn’t deny that the recording is real. The call ended on the note that they’d see each other in court when the case is opened.
This is a developing story.
