Social media personality and crossdresser Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, has threatened a N1 billion defamation lawsuit against activist Martins Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan, over an AI-generated audio recording allegedly used to defame her.
The crossdresser’s legal team issued a 24-hour ultimatum for VeryDarkMan to retract the claims and issue a public apology, or face legal action.
The alleged defamatory recording surfaced on 27 September, where a voice, alleged to be Bobrisky’s, purportedly discussed bribing Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, officials with N15 million to drop money laundering charges against him.
In the audio, Bobrisky also allegedly claimed that he did not serve his full six-month prison sentence for naira abuse but, instead, stayed in a private apartment thanks to his “godfather” and Haliru Nababa, the Nigerian Correctional Service, NCoS, controller-general.
“On my way to prison, my godfather called and assured me I wouldn’t enter prison. He told me not to worry and said he would arrange an apartment near the prison and speak to the Comptroller General of Prisons in Abuja,” the voice said.
Recall that Bobrisky was sentenced in April 2024 to six months in prison for naira mutilation but was released in August.
As expected, Bobrisky denied the allegations, calling them “a very big lie” in a social media post. “I didn’t pay any EFCC money. I served my term in full, and I came out. Discard any false information,” he told his followers.
Reacting to the lawsuit threat, VeryDarkMan took to social media, declaring his intention to file a N1,000,000,020 countersuit against Bobrisky.
“Bobrisky has sued me for N1 billion, but I will caricature it more with N1,000,000,020 billion and N20 gain,” he boldly stated in a social media post.
The tension between the two personalities escalated after VeryDarkMan released the audio in which Bobrisky allegedly recounted bribing EFCC officials to drop his money laundering charges.
Bobrisky’s denial, however, did little to calm the storm. Several investigations were quickly launched by different authorities.
Nigeria’s Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, ordered a thorough investigation into the matter, stating that there would be no tolerance for corruption within the prison system. “We will leave no stone unturned in rooting out corruption and ensuring that those found culpable face the full wrath of the law,” he declared.
The EFCC has since launched an investigation into the bribery allegations against its official. Both Bobrisky and VeryDarkMan were invited to provide additional information as part of this probe as the EFCC chairman, Ola Olukoyede “constituted a team of investigators to critically look into the allegations.”
The Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, led by Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, issued a statement expressing deep concern over the situation and demanding an independent investigation. “This investigation will test the transparency of the investigative process and the procedures for charging defendants in court,” the NBA said.
The National Assembly also took action. Members of the House of Representatives passed a resolution to investigate the bribery claims, tasking its committee on financial crimes and reformatory institutions with the responsibility of uncovering the truth. The House directed these committees to report their findings within three weeks.
The House Committee summoned Bobrisky, VeryDarkMan, and EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede on Monday.
During the hearing, VeryDarkMan stood by the authenticity of the recording, which, according to him, was given to him by a person Bobrisky had allegedly blackmailed after borrowing N4 million during her detention.
He explained that the crossdresser, who was absent, failed to repay the N4 million she borrowed from an associate, leading the associate to turn to him with the evidence of the recording.
Speaking to the committee, EFCC prosecutor Bilkisu Buhari clarified why the agency dropped money laundering charges against Bobrisky.
Buhari explained that Bobrisky’s company, Bob Express, was not categorised as a designated non-financial business or profession under the Money Laundering Act, prompting the agency to drop charges related to the issue, but pursued charges related to naira abuse to which Bobrisky pled guilty.
“There was no form of financial inducement to any member of the Commission, especially the prosecution team, in respect of this matter,” Buhari stated, while also presenting records of the trial proceedings to substantiate the EFCC’s actions.
She explained that dropping charges or amending charges in court is a regular legal practice, especially when new information comes to light.
Buhari also reiterated the EFCC’s strict adherence to professional standards in handling Bobrisky’s case. “All we did was carry out our duty with regards to our core values of professionalism and ethics,” she said, dismissing any notion of collusion between the agency and Bobrisky.
Meanwhile, the federal government has suspended two officials of the NCoS over the allegations that they facilitated Bobrisky’s preferential treatment during her prison sentence.
As the case unfolds, the House of Representatives committee continues to probe the bribery claims while both Bobrisky and VeryDarkMan gear up for their respective lawsuits.
With both sides adamant in their positions, the public awaits further developments in what has become one of the most high-profile social media legal battles in recent times.
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