By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Nigerian crossdresser Idris Okuneye, known as Bobrisky, could face new criminal charges following allegations that he bribed officials to serve his jail term in a private apartment and paid off the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to drop money laundering charges against him.

Bobrisky, sentenced to six months in prison for currency abuse on April 12 and released on August 5, is now under scrutiny. The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, established an investigative panel led by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Magdalena Ajani, on September 30.

The panel aims to probe alleged corruption and other violations within the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) related to Bobrisky’s release.

Tunji-Ojo initiated the probe after activist VeryDarkMan shared a video in which Bobrisky reportedly claimed to have bribed EFCC officials with N15 million to dismiss a money laundering charge and to have paid correctional officers to serve his sentence in private housing. The recording also includes a voice—allegedly Bobrisky’s—stating that a “godfather” and Haliru Nababa, the NCoS Controller General, arranged his housing outside prison.

The panel, however, reported no evidence that Bobrisky stayed outside the Kirikiri Custodial Centre. According to a report obtained by Sunday PUNCH, the panel recommended defamation and criminal charges against Bobrisky, asserting that his false claims damaged the correctional service’s reputation.

The Department of State Services (DSS) was also asked to investigate whether Bobrisky, directly or through intermediaries, bribed EFCC or NCoS officials. If confirmed, additional charges under the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act could follow.

In addition, three correctional officers were cited, including former Controller of Corrections Ben Rabbi-Freeman, who was accused of procedural violations regarding Bobrisky’s transfer between facilities. Deputy Controller of Corrections Micheal Anugwa, responsible for Kirikiri Medium Security, and DCC Balogun Sikiru, formerly in charge of the Maximum Security Custodial Centre, were also recommended for disciplinary action.

The panel further advised a complete audit of NCoS detainees and an overhaul of the prison welfare system, suggesting decoupling welfare services from commercial interests and fostering partnerships with NGOs for support. It also advocated for non-custodial measures across Nigeria to ease overcrowding and reserve imprisonment as a last resort

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Iki Opoji in Esan Central Local Government Area of Edo State was agog on Saturday 26th October 2024 as late Mrs. Victoria was laid to rest

The body of Mrs. Victoria, the mother of Spark News Daily’s Chief Executive Officer, Inegbenose Prevail, was lowered to the grave at about 2pm in her family residence.

The ceremony was attended by relatives, friends and colleagues of Mr Prevail, including prominent sons and daughters of Esan land.

Mrs. Victoria, 72, passed on in Lagos on September 3rd, 2024, after a brief illness.

While alive she was a devout Christian, a member of the Christian Pentecostal Mission International (CPM), Iteri branch, Lagos.

‘Mama Soldier’, as she was fondly called by her friends, associates, and colleagues, because of her strictness to the truth and outright hatred for dishonesty, left behind five surviving children, Godstime (Son), Prevail (Son), Prosper (Daughter), Isibhakhomen (Daughter) and Joy (Daughter); and ten grandchildren.

The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has secured all the chairmanship and councillorship positions in the just concluded local government elections across the 44 local government areas of Kano State in a sweeping victory.

This was announced by the Chairman of the Kano Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC), Sani Malumfashi, at the commission’s headquarters, declaring the NNPP as the winner in every local government contested.

Six political parties participated in the election, which was conducted peacefully throughout the state.

Speaking during the press briefing, Malumfashi praised the peaceful conduct of the election, noting that there were no reports of violence or electoral malpractices.

“We are pleased to announce that the NNPP has won all the chairmanship and councillorship seats across the 44 local government areas. The election was conducted in a transparent and orderly manner, and we did not receive any reports of violence,” he said.

Meanwhile, observers have hailed the election as a significant achievement for the state, praising the seamless organization and security arrangements that ensured the elections were conducted without incidents.

The election was finally conducted after series of litigation that sought to stop it from holding.

On Friday, the Kano State High Court granted the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC) the authority to proceed with the local government elections, nullifying all attempts by political parties to stop the exercise.

Justice Sanusi Ma’aji who presided over the case, ruled that KANSIEC is empowered by the Constitution to conduct, supervise, and oversee local government elections across the 44 local government areas (LGAs) in Kano State.

The case was brought by KANSIEC against the All Progressives Congress (APC) and 13 other political parties.

Our correspondents who monitored the process on Saturday, reported that local vigilante groups and officials of Kano Road Transport Agency, Karota provided security at the polling units.

This was after the Kano State Police Command said it would comply with a court order, restricting it from taking part in the election.