Blogger Martins Otse, known as VeryDarkMan, has disclosed how he obtained a controversial phone recording of cross-dresser Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky.
He made this revelation on Monday while appearing before a House of Representatives panel investigating bribery allegations involving the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS).
Officials from the EFCC and NCoS were also present as the Committees on Financial Crimes and Reformatory Institutions began their inquiry into the bribery and corruption allegations made against the anti-graft agency and the prison service by the blogger.
Initially, VeryDarkMan declined to address the committee in the absence of Bobrisky, who sent a lawyer instead of appearing personally. However, lawmakers countered his refusal by moving a motion that compelled him to discuss the voice recording he had released.
Despite the committee’s threats to use legislative powers to order his immediate arrest, VeryDarkMan insisted that his lawyer would represent him. Ultimately, his lawyer persuaded him to address the committee.
VeryDarkMan explained the legitimacy of the trending audio recording, stating that it was obtained from someone to whom Bobrisky owed money, and he presented part of the recording to the committee.
In a viral video, he alleged that Bobrisky paid ₦15 million to the anti-graft agency to have money laundering charges dropped against him during his naira spraying incident in April, which resulted in a six-month prison sentence.
The blogger further claimed that Bobrisky paid additional millions to secure a preferable prison placement.
Bobrisky has since denied these allegations, while the EFCC and NCoS have initiated investigations into VeryDarkMan’s claims.
Additionally, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has urged the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), and the Office of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, to conduct an independent investigation into the allegations made by the blogger.