Two senior Nigerian prison officials have been suspended over bribery allegations relating to controversial transgender celebrity Bobrisky.
It follows claims by social media influencer Martins Otse, commonly known as VeryDarkMan, that some anti-corruption officials were bribed to drop money laundering charges against Bobrisky. She has rejected the bribery claim.
Bobrisky, whose real name is Idris Okuneye, was released from prison last month after serving a six-month sentence for abusing Nairathe local currency. But a court dismissed the money laundering charges.
Nigeria ranked 145 out of 180 countries in Transparency International’s Perceptions of Corruption Index last year, with bribery more common in government offices.
The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have ordered investigations into a viral video, which Bobrisky has called “fake” and allegedly linking her to the bribery allegation.
In the leaked video, someone said to be Bobrisky is heard claiming that she paid $9,000 (£7,000) to EFCC officials to drop the money laundering charges.
It was also alleged that she paid several millions of naira to secure a private apartment near the prison where she would have served her sentence.
Bobrisky, who has nearly five million followers on Instagram, denied the allegations in an Instagram post.
“I have not paid any EFCC money which is a very big lie. I completely served my term and got out. Throw away all false information.”
In a statement on Thursday, the Civil Defense, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board said it has suspended two prison staff in connection with the bribery allegations, which have sparked widespread condemnation in the country.
Two other senior prison officials were also suspended on separate charges.
“The suspension of these officers is intended to allow further investigation into the various allegations while ensuring that the outcome will be made public when completed,” the statement said.
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