Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja and Wale Igbintade in Lagos
Barring any last-minute change of plans, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) will today (Friday) arraign Idris Olanrewaju Okuneye popularly known as Bobrisky before a Federal High Court in Lagos over alleged money laundering.
Already, the anti-graft agency had on Thursday filed a six-count charge against Bobrisky and will be arraigned before Justice Abimbola Awogboro.
The first four counts of the charge border on abuse of the Naira, while the last two counts bordered on alleged money laundering.
In the charge sheet marked FHC/L/244c/2024 filed by EFCC Prosecutor, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), 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.
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 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.
In count three, Bobrisky in December 2023 at White Steve Event Hall, Ikeja allegedly 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 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 N127.7 million was paid into the company account domiciled with Ecobank.
Also, 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 N5 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.
Meanwhile, earlier, the EFCC confirmed that Bobrisky failed to meet the administrative bail conditions granted him by the commission.
The spokesperson of the EFCC, Dele Oyewale, confirmed the report of his bail and failure to meet bail conditions.
“He has been granted administrative bail but yet to meet bail conditions”, he asserted.
The commission had, in an earlier statement said operatives of its Lagos zonal command commenced investigation of Bobrisky, for allegedly spraying naira notes.
It said the anti-graft agency had invited the 31-year-old following a video report of spraying and flaunting wads of new naira notes at the premiere of a movie, Ajakaju, produced by Eniola Ajao, a Nollywood actress and producer, at Film One Circle Mall, Lekki, Lagos on March 24, 2024.
“Investigation also revealed that he had also committed the alleged offence at some other event centres and parties at different times”, it said.
Following the invitation by the commission, he arrived at the Lagos Zonal Command of the EFCC in the morning of Wednesday, April 4, 2024 for interrogation and volunteered his statements.
