Bobrisky Pleads Guilty To Naira Abuse Charge

Popular cross-dresser, Idris Okuneye, a.k.a. ‘Bobrisky’ on Friday pleaded guilty to a four-count charge of abuse of the naira preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at a Lagos court.

Bobrisky arrived at the Federal High Court in Lagos around 11:50 a.m. for his arraignment on charges of money laundering and abuse of the naira.

He was originally arraigned on a six-count charge, but two of the charges were dropped following a discussion between the parties.

As a result, Justice Abimbola Awogboro struck out counts five and six.

Bobrisky was then charged with counts one to four, and he pleaded guilty to these charges.

Bobrisky Pleads Guilty To Naira Abuse Charge 

When asked if he understood the charge read to him, he replied, “Yes, I am guilty.”

While the first four counts of the charge border on abuse of the Naira, the last two counts border on alleged money laundering.

In the charge sheet filed by EFCC Prosecutor, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Rotimi Oyedepo, alongside seven other lawyers, Bobrisky in the first count is alleged to have tampered with the sum of N400,000 by spraying same while dancing at a social event at the IMAX Circle Mall, Lekki, Lagos.

He was said to have committed the offence which is contrary to and punishable under Section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act 2007 on March 24, 2024.

In count two, Bobrisky was said to have between July and August 2023 at Aja Junction, Ikorodu also tampered with another sum of N50,000 by spraying the same at a social event while dancing.

Count three stated that Bobrisky in December 2023 at White Steve Event Hall, Ikeja also sprayed and tampered with another sum of N20,000 while dancing.

Count four also accused Bobrisky of spraying and tampering with another sum of N20,000 while dancing at another event in Oniru, Victoria Island.

In count five, Bobrisky while trading under the name and style of Bob Express between Sept 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 is also accused in count six 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.

Meanwhile, Justice Abimbola Awogboro convicted him after the review of the facts of the case.

In his allocutus, Bobrisky told the court that he was not aware of the law on abusing the naira.

He said that he is a social media influencer with over five million followers.

The judge then told him that ignorance of the law was not an excuse.

He said, “I know, My Lord. My Lord, I wish that you could give me a second chance to use my platform to inform and educate my followers about spraying money.

“I would do a video on my page and I will educate people about spraying money.

“I will not repeat it again. I regret my actions.”