VIDEO: Bobrisky pleads guilty to naira abuse charges

By Oluwapelumi Oluwayemi

Controversial personality Idris Okuneye, famously known as Bobrisky, has admitted to the offense of abusing Nigerian currency.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) lodged six charges against Bobrisky, including accusations of money laundering and abuse of the naira.

According to the charge sheet presented by EFCC Prosecutor Rotimi Oyedepo, along with a team of seven lawyers, the first charge alleges that Bobrisky improperly handled ₦400,000 by dispersing it while dancing at a social gathering in the IMAX Circle Mall, Lekki, Lagos.

Another charge states that between July and August 2023 at Aja Junction, Ikorodu, Bobrisky mishandled ₦50,000 in a similar manner at a different social event.

Additionally, Bobrisky is accused, in the third count, of abusing ₦20,000 while dancing at White Steve Event Hall, Ikeja, in December 2023.

Further charges detail instances where Bobrisky allegedly mishandled funds while participating in events in Oniru, Victoria Island.

In the fifth count, Bobrisky is accused of failing to disclose the activities of his company, Bob Express, to the Special Control Unit Against Money Laundering between September 1, 2021, and April 4, 2024, despite receiving ₦127.7 million in payments to the company’s Ecobank account during that period.

In count six, Bobrisky is also accused of failing to submit a declaration of the activities of the company within the same period when another ₦53 million 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.

But before the charge was read to the defendant, the EFCC’s prosecution counsel Suleiman Suleiman, prayed the court to strike out counts five and six (money laundering charges) and arraigned him on counts one to four.