The Deputy Controller of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Michael Anugwa, has refuted media reports claiming his suspension from the service.

Anugwa, who is in charge of the Medium Security Custodial Centre (MSCC) in Kirikiri, Lagos State, where popular cross-dresser Idris Okuneye, also known as Bobrisky, served his prison term, addressed the allegations during a hearing with the House of Representatives joint committee on financial crimes and reformatory institutions.

Last week, Ja’afaru Ahmed, the secretary to the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB), announced the suspension of Anugwa and Sikiru Adekunle, another deputy controller of corrections at the MSCC. The suspension followed allegations made by social media influencer Martins Otse, known as VeryDarkMan, who claimed in viral videos that Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) officers collected N15 million from Bobrisky to drop money laundering charges against him. Bobrisky was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment in April for a naira spraying incident.

The influencer also alleged that Bobrisky paid millions of naira to secure a preferential place in prison. However, Bobrisky has denied these allegations, and both the EFCC and the NCoS have ordered investigations into the blogger’s claims. Ahmed stated that the officers’ suspension was to allow for further investigation of the various allegations.

During the hearing, Anugwa dispelled the allegations, stating, “It was a social media report. I wasn’t served a letter.” The House of Representatives joint committee is currently investigating the bribery allegations against the anti-graft agency and the NCoS.

The case has garnered significant attention due to the involvement of the popular cross-dresser Bobrisky and the serious nature of the allegations against the EFCC and NCoS officials. The outcome of the investigation is awaited to determine the truth behind the claims and to ensure transparency and accountability within these government institutions.

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