Nigeria’s entertainment industry and beyond, social media personality Verydarkman (VDM) has released what he claims to be damning evidence of corruption and preferential treatment involving renowned crossdresser Bobrisky. The exposé, which hit Instagram on September 28, 2024, has ignited a firestorm of controversy, implicating high-profile figures and raising serious questions about the integrity of Nigeria’s justice system.
At the heart of this scandal is a leaked WhatsApp voice note, purportedly featuring Bobrisky in conversation with an unnamed friend. In the recording, a voice alleged to be Bobrisky’s can be heard detailing a series of events that, if true, paint a troubling picture of corruption at various levels of Nigerian law enforcement and judiciary.
I had to pay the EFCC N15 million to drop the money laundering charges,” the voice says, referring to Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. “I called in favors from friends to raise the money. It wasn’t easy, but it worked.”
The revelations didn’t stop there. The voice goes on to describe how, after being sentenced to prison, intervention from a “godfather” led to special treatment:
“My godfather called me right after the sentencing. He said, ‘Don’t worry, you won’t see the inside of a cell.’ Next thing I know, I’m in a private flat instead of prison, all arranged by the General Controller of Corrections himself!”
Verydarkman, known for his controversial takes on Nigerian social issues, didn’t hold back in his Instagram post accompanying the leaked audio. In everything and everyone that is mentioned here, I will be very disappointed if truly FALZ and his father are involved in this whole Bobrisky mess,” VDM wrote, referring to popular Nigerian rapper Falz and his father, renowned lawyer Femi Falana.
The post continued, “@officialefcc you must produce the officers that did this dealing. After this, Nigeria no go surprise me again. PART 2 LOADING IF…”
Perhaps the most explosive claim in the leaked audio involves Nigerian rap star Falz and his father, human rights lawyer Femi Falana. According to the voice in the recording, “Falz called me and said his father had an idea to clean this whole thing up with a pardon.
This allegation has sent ripples through Nigeria’s entertainment and legal communities. Falz, known for his socially conscious music and outspoken stance against corruption, has yet to respond to the allegations at the time of this report.
The revelations have sparked intense reactions across social media platforms. Twitter user @NigeriaWatchdog wrote, “If this is true, it’s a disgrace to our entire justice system. No one should be above the law!”
Instagram user @entertainment_naija commented, “I’m not surprised about Bobrisky, but Falz? That’s the real shock. We need answers!”
“If these claims are substantiated, we’re looking at serious breaches of legal and ethical standards,” Akpata explained. Bribery of public officials, obstruction of justice, abuse of power – these are grave offenses that could lead to significant criminal charges.”
Akpata emphasized that all parties mentioned in the allegations deserve due process and the presumption of innocence until proven guilty. However, he stressed the importance of a thorough and transparent investigation.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) issued a brief statement in response to the allegations: “We are aware of the claims circulating on social media. The EFCC takes all allegations of corruption seriously, including those involving our own officers. A thorough investigation will be conducted, and appropriate actions will be taken based on the findings.”
Civil society organizations have been quick to demand action. Transparency International Nigeria released a statement calling for “an immediate, independent investigation into these allegations, with full cooperation from all parties involved.
The scandal has sent shockwaves through Nigeria’s entertainment industry. Popular actress Genevieve Nnaji took to Twitter to express her dismay: “This is bigger than just Bobrisky or Falz. It’s about the integrity of our entire system. We need answers, and we need them now.”
Music producer Don Jazzy struck a more cautious tone: “Let’s not jump to conclusions. We’ve seen how social media can blow things out of proportion. Let’s wait for all the facts before we judge.”
As Nigeria grapples with the fallout from these allegations, several key questions remain,
1. Will there be a formal investigation into the claims of bribery and preferential treatment?
2. How will this scandal impact public trust in Nigeria’s justice system and anti-corruption efforts?
3. What consequences, if any, will Bobrisky, Falz, and others mentioned in the allegations face?
4. How will this affect the careers and public personas of the celebrities involved?
As the nation waits for further developments, one thing is clear: the reverberations from this scandal will be felt for a long time to come. Whether it leads to meaningful reform or fades into another unresolved controversy remains to be seen, but for now, all eyes are on Bobrisky, VDM, and the tangled web of allegations that have captured Nigeria’s attention.
