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HoR cttee sets date to visit EFCC, prison over Bobrisky case

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The House of Representatives Committee probing allegations of corruption against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Nigeria Correctional Service will visit the Lagos offices of the two agencies on Monday, October 21, 2024.
The allegations were made by controversial crossdresser, Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, through a recorded telephone conversation obtained by a social media influencer, Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan.
The Chairman of the investigating committee, Ginger Onwusibe, told The PUNCH on Monday that the committee would visit Lagos for its investigation.
On Monday, October 1, the panel grilled officials of the EFCC, NCoS and VeryDarkMan over claims that Okuneye allegedly paid the sum of N15m to effect the drop of the money laundering charges against him.
Okuneye was convicted on April 5, 2024, by the Federal High Court in Lagos and sentenced to six months in prison for the abuse of the naira.
On August 5, 2024, Okuneye regained his freedom amid allegations of receiving preferential treatment while in custody.
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, following the development, ordered an investigation and the immediate suspension of the Deputy Controller of Corrections in charge of the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Kirikiri, Lagos State, Michael Anugwa, and the Deputy Controller of Corrections in charge of the Maximum Security Custodial Centre, Kirikiri, Lagos State, Sikiru Adekunle.
Fielding questions from the panel, Otse, who presented an audio recording of Bobrisky, claimed that the crossdresser disclosed that he never spent time in a prison facility but in a private apartment throughout his incarceration, after allegedly parting with a huge amount of money.
Officials of the EFCC and the NCoS who attended the investigative hearing denied the allegations.
A week after his appearance, Otse released another audio in which Okuneye allegedly claimed that he paid N5m upfront to a Senior Advocate of Nigeria in an attempt to secure a Federal Government pardon over money laundering charges filed against him by the EFCC.
According to him, the unnamed SAN had initially requested N10m for his legal services but explained that he (Bobrisky) was unable to raise the full amount as the EFCC had frozen his account.
In the audio, the crossdresser allegedly said, “Truth be told, I won’t lie to you, you’re my person. I’m not in prison, but I’m around there. They got me an apartment because of my godfather. My godfather was able to say, Never, you will not smell that prison. Let the world think that, but you will never.
“So, he was able to talk to the Deputy Controller who said that as long as Bob is not posting or saying anything, they can put me close to the place so I can always come inside and see people, and welcome my family. Nobody needs to know.
“I’m supposed to finish my sentence by July, but if we get the amnesty, I could leave by the first week of next month. The SAN asked for N10m, which I could have transferred, but my account is frozen. My godfather gave me N5m and we sent it to the SAN two weeks ago. He has already submitted the pardon request.”
Before agreeing to speak at the investigative hearing, VeryDarkMan caused a drama, stating that until Bobrisky who allegedly made the allegations was similarly made to face the public, he would not entertain any questions from the panel or the media.
It took pleadings from his counsel, Deji Adeyanju, and committee members for him to change his mind after assurances that Bobrisky would similarly be made to tell his side of the story in a public hearing.
Speaking with The PUNCH on Monday on when the panel would invite Bobrisky for questioning, Onwusibe, who represents Isiala Ngwa North/Isiala Ngwa South Federal Constituency of Abia State, said a date would be fixed as soon as the committee returned from a visit to Lagos.
“We are visiting the correctional centre in Lagos and the EFCC office in Lagos on Monday next week (October 21). After our visit, we shall resume hearing,” he said.
Punch
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Afenifere demands for unconditional release of Farotimi

The pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, has intervened in the ongoing face-off between legal luminary, Chief Afe Babalola and activist, Dele Farotimi, calling for unconditional release of the activist.
The organisation at a World Press Conference held at the residence of its leader, Chief Ayo Adebanjo in Lagos said while it was not talking about the merit or demerit of the case, the procedure and manner of arrest of the activist was condemnable.
Deputy Leader of the Group, Oba Oladipo Olaitan who addressed the press conference expressed concern over the continued incarceration of Farotimi over a bailable offence.
Farotimi, a member of the National Caucus of Afenifere, was arrested on Tuesday December 3, 2024 in his office in Lekki Lagos by plain-clothed police officers from Ekiti State Police Command over a petition by Babalola.
Babalola had claimed he was defamed in the book written by Farotimi titled, “Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System.”
The Chief Magistrate Court in Ekiti has reserved a ruling on his bail application until December 20.
But Afenifere Deputy Leader criticised the chief magistrate, Abayomi Adeosun, for denying bail, describing the charges as bailable.
He stated that what is happening to Farotimi represented a script playing out as the charges are bailable and should have been granted bail on self-recognisance.
“It is Dele Farotimi today, it could be you tomorrow,” the Deputy Leader added.
“Afenifere believes that Chief Afe Babalola, like every citizen, has a right to defend his reputation if injured to the full extent of the law but not outside the strictures of the law. Therefore, Dele Farotimi must have his day in court. He cannot be unjustly incarcerated. His rights must be similarly protected,” he said.
The group called for an end to using the police from other states to arrest citizens, saying, “The increasing practice of arresting people in a state and transporting (rendering) them out of state often without the knowledge of the relatives of those arrested and also charged in a state other than the state of normal residence of the suspect need to be stopped.
“The practice exerts undue mental agony and expense on the accused person and their families who are often left wondering for hours or days about the safety and whereabouts of their loved ones. The Police must stop this practice.
“It is a loophole that can be exploited by criminals who may be tempted to disguise their crimes by acting out their nefarious activities by imitating the rogue police operations.”
Oba Olaitan added that the delay in granting bail to Mr. Farotimi “has confirmed the fears of well-meaning people all over the world that these processes are driven by extraneous considerations outside the facts and laws in respect of the petition on which the Police and the Chief Magistrate in Ekiti are hinging their actions.”
News
Just In: FCT High CourtG admits ex Gov. Bello to N500m bail

The Federal Capital Territory High Court, on Thursday, granted the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, bail in the sum of N500 million with three sureties in like sum.
Justice Maryann Anenih had, on December 10, refused the ex-governor’s bail application, saying it was filed prematurely.
While delivering the initial ruling, she said, having been filed when the 1st defendant was neither in custody nor before the court, the instant application was incompetent.
There was, however, room for the governor’s lawyers to file a fresh application for bail and apply for hearing date.
The former governor is facing an alleged money laundering trial to the tune of N110bn, along with two others.
He had pleaded not guilty to the 16-count charges brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
When the case was called for hearing, on Thursday, Counsel for the former governor, Joseph Daudu, SAN, informed the court that the defence counsels had filed a further affidavit in response to the counter affidavit filed and served by the prosecution counsels.
He, however, applied to withdraw the further affidavit, saying, “We do not want to make the matter contentious.”
There was no objection from the prosecution counsel, Olukayode Enitan, SAN. The court, therefore, granted the application for withdrawal, striking out the further affidavit.
Daudu, SAN, also informed the court that discussions had taken place with the leader of the prosecution counsels, resulting in an agreement to ensure a speedy trial.
In light of this understanding, Daudu urged the court to grant the bail application.
He further requested that if the court would graciously grant the Defendant bail, the court should kindly review the bail conditions for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd defendants.
He urged the court to broaden the scope of property to be used as bail sureties to include locations across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), rather than limiting the location solely to Maitama.
The prosecution counsel, Enitan SAN, acknowledged that Daudu SAN had been in talks with the prosecution team.
In accordance with the Rules of Professional Conduct (RPC), the EFCC Counsel gave assurance of their cooperation in expediting the trial.
He said, “I confirm the evidence given by the distinguished member of the bar that is leading the Defence, J.B. Daudu, SAN, that he has been in conversation with the leader of the prosecuting team.
“As with the legal tradition that we should cooperate with members of the bar when it does not affect the course of justice, we have decided not to make this contentious, bearing in mind that no matter how industrious the defence counsel might be in pushing forward the application for bail and no matter how vociferous the prosecution counsel can argue against the bail application, your lordship is bound by your discretion to grant or not to grant the application.
“We are therefore leaving this to your lordship’s discretion.”
Delivering her ruling, Justice Anenih acknowledged that the offence the 1st Defendant was charged with was a bailable one and granted the ex-governor bail in the sum of N500 million, with three sureties in like sum.
The sureties must be notable Nigerians with landed property in Maitama, Jabi, Utako, Apo, Guzape, Garki, and Asokoro.
The 1st Defendant was also asked to deposit his international passport and other travel documents with the court.
He is to remain at Kuje Correctional Centre until the bail conditions are met.
The court also granted the application to vary the bail conditions for the 2nd and 3rd Defendants, Umaru Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, respectively.
They were granted bail in the sum of N300 million, with two sureties who must own landed property in Maitama, Jabi, Apo, Garki, Wuse, or Guzape. The location was initially restricted to Maitama.
They are to deposit their international passports and other travel documents with the court.
The 2nd and 3rd Defendants are to remain at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the fulfilment of their bail conditions. [Daily Review Online]
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SEE NAIRA Rates Against The USD, GBP, EURO Today December 19, 2024

WHEN we look at this month, USD was traded at ₦ at the beginning of this December on Monday, December 2, 2024. As at today with USD being traded at ₦1,665 we see a % for United States Dollar to Naira exchange rate for this month.
On this page, we are primarily focusing on the Black Market Dollar To Naira Exchange Rate Today, the USD to Naira currency pair are the most traded currency in the FX market.
Black Market Exchange Rates
Buying Rate
Selling Rate
Dollar to Naira 1665 1650
Pounds to Naira 2120 2090
Euro to Naira 1725 1690
Canadian Dollar to Naira 1176 1158
Rand to Naira 52 43
Dirham to Naira 0 0
Yuan to Naira 62 62
G.Cedi to Nair 70 50
CFA F. (XOF) To Naira 0.83 0.81
CFA F. (XAF) To Naira 0.74 0.74
Having full knowledge how much USD to NGN black market exchange rate today will give you a better opportunity to plan and make informed decisions.
Nairatoday.com
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