Popular crossdresser, Bobrisky, has reportedly pleaded guilty to charges related to the abuse of the Naira before a Federal High Court in Lagos.
The charges were brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), consisting of six counts, with four pertaining to abusing the Naira and two to money laundering. However, two of the charges on money laundering were dropped during the proceedings.
Bobrisky’s arrest followed a video surfacing showing him spraying wads of cash at the premiere of Eniola Ajao’s ‘Beasts of Two Worlds’ movie on March 24, 2024.
In his defense, he stated that he was unaware that tampering with the Naira note or coin is an offense punishable by law. He expressed remorse to the court, promising to educate his followers against such actions if given a second chance. Additionally, he pledged to upload a video on the subject matter and vowed never to repeat the mistake.
Justice Abimbola Awogboro convicted Bobrisky after reviewing the facts of the case. The EFCC’s investigation found that aside from the March 24 incident, Bobrisky had tampered with the Naira on several occasions in 2023.
Additionally, he was charged with two counts of money laundering for allegedly failing to report the activities of his company, Bob Express, to appropriate institutions. The EFCC stated that significant amounts of money were deposited into the company’s account on different occasions, raising suspicions.
“In count five, Bobrisky, while trading under the name and style of Bob Express between 1 September 2021 and 4 April 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 six, Bobrisky is also accused of failing to submit a declaration of the activities of the company within the same period when another N53 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.”
However, in court on Friday, the money laundering charges were struck out by Justice Abimbola Awogboro.
This was after the EFCC’s prosecution counsel, Suleiman Suleiman, prayed to the court to strike out counts five and six (money laundering charges) and arraign him on counts one to four.