The House of Representatives has prohibited journalists from covering its investigative hearing into the ₦15 million corruption allegations involving crossdresser Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS).
The ban was announced by the Joint Committees on Financial Crimes and Reformatory Services, who cited the sensitive nature of the investigation. This decision reverses a prior invitation extended to the press for coverage of the proceedings.
The investigation follows claims made by social media influencer Martins Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan, alleging that Bobrisky, convicted for abusing the naira, served his sentence at a private residence instead of a correctional facility.
Bobrisky has denied these allegations, but the matter has since drawn significant public attention.
In response, the federal government suspended the officers in charge of the Kirikiri custodial centers in Lagos State. Ja’afaru Ahmed, Secretary of the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire, and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB), confirmed the suspension to allow further investigations, with assurances that findings will be made public.