Lagos, April 4, 2024 – The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is to arraign popular Nigerian cross-dresser, Idris Okuneye, also called Bobrisky, before the Federal High Court in Lagos on Friday.
He is being arraigned over allegations bordering on money laundering and currency abuse.
Bobrisky was arrested by the EFCC on Wednesday for currency abuse while spraying naira at a party at Pinnock Estate in Lagos State.
He is to appear before Justice Abimbola Awogboro on a six-count charge of allegedly laundering N180 million through his company, Bob Express, and tampering with N490,000 by spraying.
While the first four counts of the charge signed by the EFCC counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN) alleged that the defendant abused the Naira, the last two counts border on alleged money laundering.
In the first count, the defendant is accused of tampering with N400,000 by spraying the same while dancing at a social event at the IMAX Circle Mall in Lekki, Lagos.
He was also alleged, in count 2, to have between July and August 2023 at Aja Junction, Ikorodu, also tampered with another sum of N50,000 by spraying same at a social event while dancing.
In count 3, Bobrisky, in Dec. 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.
The EFCC said the offence was committed on March 24, 2024, and is contrary to, and punishable under Section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act 2007.
In count 5, 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.
In count 6, 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. (GBN)
