Bobrisky convicted on Six charges in Federal High Court, including for abusing the Nigerian Naira, Money laundering

The Nigerian Federal high court in Lagos has, after the popular cross-dresser, Idris Okuneye, also known as Bobrisky had pleaded guilty to four charges of money laundering and the abuse of the Naira levelled against him earlier on Friday, convicted him.

Bobrisky was arrested earlier Wednesday by officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Lagos State, reported Epicstorian News.

Then following his arrest, Bobrisky was detained over defamation and abuse of the Naira notes, and appeared in the Federal High Court before Justice Abimbola Awogboro on Friday to face his charges.

Initially arraigned on six counts, two of the charges against Bobrisky were dropped after a discussion between the parties involved and a careful consideration was given him by the honourable High.

Answering in court with regards to his profession or occupation, Bobrisky identified as a social media influencer with over five million followers and supporters.

However, he admitted to not being aware that there was a law forbidding the abuse of the Naira notes before the court, but the Judge, Justice Awogboro, explained to him that ignorance of the law is no excuse.

He reued the action and pleaded for a second chance so as to sensitise others, including his social media followers.

Facing the first four counts of the charges, Bobrisky was held guilty of abuse of the Naira, and secondly of money laundering.

The suit sheet filed by Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), EFCC Prosecutor, alongside seven other lawyers, and the anti-graft agency read that Bobrisky was guilty of tampering with the sum of N 400,000 by throwing the same on the floor while dancing at a social event held at the IMAX Circle Mall, Lekki, Lagos.

According to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Bobrisky committed the offence on March 24, which is contrary to and punishable under Section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act 2007.

The count two of alleged offences also said that Bobrisky abused another sum of N50,000 between July and August 2023 at Aja Junction, Ikorodu by tossing the same while dancing.

In count three, the EFCC accused Bobrisky of flinging and abusing another sum of N20,000 while dancing in December 2023 at White Steve Event Hall, Ikeja.

Count four of the same offence brought against Bobrisky by the EFCC said he was guilty of hurling and tampering with another sum of N20,000 at a social event in Oniru, Victoria Island.

In count five, the EFCC accused Bobrisky, who trades under the name and style of Bob Express between the time period of September 1, 2021 to April 4, 2024, in Lagos, of failing to submit to the Special Control Unit Against Money Laundering, a declaration of the activities of the company into which a total sum of N127.7 million was paid using Ecobank.

Meanwhile, the anti-crime agency in count six said that Bobrisky, for defaulting to submit the requested declaration of the company activities even after another sum of N53 million was paid into the same company’s account, was guilty of 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 Section19 (2) (b) of the CBN Act.