Controversial social media critic, Martins Vincent Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has shared how he came into possession of a contentious phone recording of Idris Okuneye, better known as Bobrisky. The authenticity of this audio recording, which has caused much debate online, was confirmed by VDM. He explained that the recording was given to him by someone to whom Bobrisky owed a substantial sum of money.
The disclosure was made on Monday when VeryDarkMan appeared before the House of Representatives panel investigating bribery and corruption allegations involving the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS). The investigation was initiated to examine claims of misconduct and corruption by these institutions.
Officials from the EFCC and the NCoS were also present during the committee hearing, as the panel delved into the accusations against the anti-corruption agency and the correctional service. During this session, VDM shed light on the controversial recording of Bobrisky, which had drawn significant attention.
Initially, VeryDarkMan hesitated to address the committee due to the absence of Bobrisky, who was invited to the hearing but sent a lawyer in his place. However, after some deliberation, the lawmakers pushed VeryDarkMan to present his statement on the recording. At first, VDM resisted, but his lawyer eventually persuaded him to comply with the committee’s request.
VDM explained that the recording was obtained because Bobrisky was allegedly blackmailing a person to whom he owed money. According to VDM, the person who lent Bobrisky money shared proof of their conversation, which was provided to VDM.
“The recording came to me because Bobrisky was blackmailing someone he owed money,” VDM stated. “The person lent him ₦4 million while he was in EFCC custody or, rather, staying at a private apartment. The money was given to him on June 19, 2024.”
VeryDarkMan further clarified that the loan was deposited into an account belonging to Bobrisky’s relative, Abiola Okuneye. When it was time for the lender to get the money back, they contacted Bobrisky, who initially promised to repay it by September 19.
On September 1, the lender reached out to Bobrisky again to request the repayment. However, according to VDM, Bobrisky refused to return the money. Instead, Bobrisky allegedly responded with threats of blackmail, saying, “I will tell them that you are smooching me and kissing me.”
VDM explained that a friend of his brought this situation to his attention, recounting the difficulty the lender faced in getting the money back. Afterward, the lender reportedly told Bobrisky to repay the money within four hours.
Despite eventually paying back the ₦4 million, VDM said that he still felt the need to release the phone recording to the public. According to him, it was not just about the repayment but also about the broader issue of fairness, especially given the treatment of ordinary people in similar situations.
“When I listened to the audio, I thought, even though the money has been paid back, this has to be made public. The EFCC cannot continue harassing regular people while others, with powerful connections, get away with anything,” VDM remarked.
He continued by highlighting the injustices faced by many individuals in prison, stating that Bobrisky’s situation is not unique or above others. VeryDarkMan referenced his own experience in prison, as well as that of his close friend, Seun Kuti, and other young men who had been detained unfairly.
“I was detained in prison, my good friend Seun Kuti was detained, and there are many young men in prison. Bobrisky is not any better than them,” he said.
In a viral video released by VeryDarkMan, further allegations were made about Bobrisky. According to VDM, Bobrisky paid ₦15 million to the EFCC to have money laundering charges dropped. These charges had arisen during a widely publicized incident in April, during which Bobrisky was involved in a naira-spraying event. After the incident, Bobrisky was sentenced to six months in prison by the court.
VeryDarkMan also alleged that Bobrisky had paid additional sums of money to secure preferential treatment in prison, including choosing a more comfortable facility.
In response to these allegations, Bobrisky has strongly denied any wrongdoing. He has publicly rejected the claims made by VDM and dismissed the accusations of bribery and corruption. Both the EFCC and the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) have since launched investigations into the allegations brought forward by VeryDarkMan.
As these investigations continue, the controversy surrounding Bobrisky’s alleged actions and the leaked phone recording remains a topic of public interest. The outcome of the committee’s inquiry into the conduct of the EFCC and NCoS, along with Bobrisky’s involvement, is yet to be determined. However, VDM’s decision to release the recording has sparked widespread debate about the influence of power and money in the justice system.
The recording itself has raised questions about Bobrisky’s financial dealings and the ethical concerns surrounding his behavior. It has also cast a spotlight on how influential figures, such as Bobrisky, may leverage their status to escape accountability.
For VeryDarkMan, the release of the recording serves a greater purpose. He believes that bringing attention to these issues will help to ensure that justice is served fairly, regardless of a person’s social or financial standing. He remains committed to advocating for those who may not have the platform to voice their own experiences.
As the investigation proceeds, the public will be watching closely to see how the authorities handle the accusations against Bobrisky and the broader allegations of corruption within the EFCC and NCoS. Whether or not more evidence will come to light remains to be seen, but for now, the case of Bobrisky’s phone recording continues to capture widespread attention.
