Court to sentence convicted Bobrisky, April 9

The Federal High Court in Lagos has announced April 9, 2024, as date for judgement in the Naira currency mutilation case against cross-dresser, Idris Okuneye aka Bobrisky.

The judgement was reserved by Justice Abimbola Awogboro on Friday, who ordered that the Okuneye be remanded in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) pending the judgment date.

Bobrisky earlier on Friday pleaded guilty to four counts of abuse of the Naira preferred against him by the anti-corruption agency.

Bobrisky was originally arraigned on six counts but two charges bordering on money laundering were dropped following a discussion between the parties involved.

In court, Bobrisky identified himself as a social media influencer with over five million followers but said he was not aware that there was a law banning the abuse of the Naira.

Justice Awogboro, however, informed the cross-dresser that ignorance is not an excuse before the law.

The controversial cross-dresser regretted the action and pleaded for a second chance to enable him also educate his followers.

Diaspora Digital Media had earlier reported that Bobrisky was convicted on Wednesday.

The EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, said that Bobrisky was arrested for mutilation of naira notes and not for his lifestyle as a cross-dresser.

The first four counts of the charge bordered on abuse of the Naira, while the last two counts bordered on alleged money laundering.

In the charge sheet filed by EFCC Prosecutor, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), alongside seven other lawyers, the anti-graft agency accused Bobrisky in the first count of tampering with the sum of N400,000 by spraying same while dancing at a social event at the IMAX Circle Mall, Lekki, Lagos.

The EFCC said that Bobrisky committed the offence on March 24, and is contrary to and punishable under Section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act 2007.

The anti-graft agency in count two alleged that Bobrisky 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.

In count three, the EFCC alleged that Bobrisky in December 2023 at White Steve Event Hall, Ikeja also sprayed and tampered with another sum of N20,000 while dancing.

In count four, the EFCC accused Bobrisky of spraying and tampering with another sum of N20,000 while dancing at another event in Oniru, Victoria Island.

Meanwhile, in count five, the EFCC said that Bobrisky while trading under the name and style of Bob Express between September 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 N127.7million was paid into the company account domiciled with Ecobank.

The agency in count six accused Bobrisky 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.

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