Bobrisky to be arraigned today for money laundering, naira mutilation

The controversial cross-dresser, Idris Olanrewaju Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, will be arraigned before the Federal High Court in Lagos today for alleged money laundering. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) filed six counts against Bobrisky, which include money laundering and abuse of the naira. The anti-graft agency alleges that while trading under the name and style of Bob Express between September 1, 2021, and April 4, 2024, in Lagos, Bobrisky failed to submit a declaration of the activities of the company, within which period the total sum of N7.7m was paid into the company account domiciled with Ecobank. Bobrisky is 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, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 6(1)(a), and Section 19(1) (f) of the Money Laundering (Prevention And Prohibition) Act and punishable under Section 19 (2) (b) of the same Act.

Moreover, Bobrisky is accused of tampering with sums of money by spraying them while dancing at social events. In the first count on the charge sheet, Bobrisky is accused of tampering with the sum of N100,000 by spraying the same during a social event at the IMAX Circle Mall, Lekki, Lagos, on March 24, 2024. The offence is contrary to and punishable under Section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act 2007. In count two, Bobrisky is accused of tampering with another sum of N50,000 by spraying it at a social event while dancing between July and August 2023 at Aja Junction, Ikorodu. In count three, Bobrisky is accused of spraying and tampering with another sum of N20,000 while dancing at White Steve Event Hall, Ikeja, in December 2023. Count four also accused Bobrisky of spraying and tampering with another sum of N20,000 while dancing at another event in Oniru, Victoria Island.

Bobrisky has been in EFCC detention since Wednesday night and failed to meet the administrative bail offered to him on Thursday. Today, he will be arraigned before the vacation judge, Justice Abimbola Awogboro.
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 has 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, he will 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.