N400m charges: Bobrisky detained in lone cell, faces arraignment today
Bobrisky. Photo Credit: EFCC.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, will today (Friday) arraign controversial cross-dresser, Idris Olanrewaju Okuneye popularly known as Bobrisky, before the Federal High Court in Lagos for alleged money laundering.
EFCC, on Thursday, filed six counts while counts bordering on money laundering and abuse of the naira on Bobrisky.
Bobrisky will be arraigned before the vacation judge, Justice Abimbola Awogboro.
In the charge sheet filed by EFCC prosecutor, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), alongside seven other lawyers, Bobrisky in the first count was alleged to have tampered with the sum of N400,000 by spraying the same while dancing at a social event at the IMAX Circle Mall, Lekki, Lagos.
The commission said the offence was committed on March 24, 2024.
Bobrisky was also alleged to have between July and August 2023 at Aja Junction, Ikorodu tampered with another sum of N50,000 by spraying same at a social event while dancing.
The anti-graft agency said in December 2023 at White Steve Event Hall, Ikeja, Bobrisky also sprayed and tampered with another sum of N20,000 while dancing.
He was further accused of spraying and tampering with another sum of N20,000 while dancing at another event in Oniru, Victoria Island.
The EFCC said that Bobrisky, while trading under the name and style of Bob Express between September 1, 2021 and April 4, 2024 in Lagos, failed to submit to the Special Control Unit Against Money Laundering, a declaration of the activities of the said company, (Bob Express) within which period the total sum of N127. 7m was paid into the company account domiciled with Ecobank.
Bobrisky was also accused of failing to submit a declaration of the activities of the company within the same period when another N53m was paid into the company’s account.
Aacording to EFCC, the offences committed contravened Sections 6 (1)(a), and 19(1) (f) of the Money Laundering (Prevention And Prohibition) Act and were punishable under Section 19 (2) (b) of the same Act.
Bobrisky, who had been in the EFCC detention since Wednesday, night, failed to meet the administrative bail offered him on Thursday.
The spokesperson for the EFCC, Dele Oyewale, confirmed the report of his bail and failure to meet the conditions, in a telephone interview with our correspondent Thursday evening.
Oyewale said, “He has been granted administrative bail but yet to meet bail conditions.”
Earlier, Oyewale had noted that, “Bobrisky is with us. He was arrested last night in Lagos, and he is at our Lagos command. We arrested him for alleged abuse of naira notes, spraying of nara notes, and currency mutilation, among others.
“We are very serious about restoring the dignity of the naira. Though our investigation is still ongoing, but he will definitely be charged to court soon.”
In a statement titled “EFCC Grills Bobrisky for Naira Abuse ” posted on its social media handle later, the EFCC wrote, “Operatives of the Lagos Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have commenced investigation of Idris Okuneye, a.k.a Bobrisky, for allegedly spraying Naira notes.
“The EFCC had invited the 31-year old following a video report of spraying and flaunting wads of new Naira notes at the premiere of a movie, Ajakaju, produced by Eniola Ajao, a Nollywood actress and producer, at Film One Circle Mall, Lekki, Lagos on March 24, 2024.
“Investigation also revealed that he had also committed the alleged offence at some other event centres and parties at different times.
“Following the invitation by the commission, he arrived at the Lagos Zonal Command of the EFCC in the morning of Wednesday, April 4, 2024, for interrogation and volunteered his statements.
“He will soon be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations.”
Impeccable sources in the EFCC said the cross-dresser was detained in a lone cell.
“Bobrisky has been grilled by interrogators, and he has given his statement wherein he identified as ‘Idris Okuneye’. He’s being detained in a lone cell. He has no cellmates, he’s neither in a male nor female cell, he’s the only one in his cell,” a source said.
