Court convicts Bobrisky for naira abuse, money laundering

The Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has convicted popular cross-dresser, Idris Okuneye, fondly called Bobrisky, for abusing the naira.

Bobrisky was convicted by the presiding judge, Justice Abimbola Awogboro, on Friday, April 5, 2024.

The cross-dresser’s conviction came after he pleaded guilty to a four-count charge of abuse of the naira and money laundering preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

In his allocutus, Bobrisky told the court that he was not aware of the law on abusing the naira, adding that he is a social media influencer with over five million followers.

The judge then told him that ignorance of the law was not an excuse.

The cross-dresser said: “I know, My Lord. I wish that you could give me a second chance to use my platform to inform and educate my followers about spraying money.

EFCC files money laundering, naira mutilation charges against Bobrisky

“I would do a video on my page and I will educate people about spraying money.

“I will not repeat it again. I regret my actions.”

Bobrisky was initially arraigned on a six-count charge on Friday but two of the charges were dropped following a discussion between the parties.

The Star recalls that EFCC, on Thursday, April 4, filed a six-count charge against Bobrisky for alleged money laundering and mutilation of the naira.

He was arrested by the anti-graft agency in connection with the offence on Wednesday.

According to the charge, the cross-dresser was said to have committed the offence at Circle Mall, Jakande in the Lekki area of Lagos on March 24.

The EFCC said Bobrisky tampered with the cumulative sum of N400,000 while dancing during a social event, by spraying the same in various tranches.

The anti-graft agency also alleged that the defendant trading under the name and style of BobExpress between September 1, 2021, and April 4, also failed to submit to the Special Control Unit Against Money Laundering, a declaration of the activities of his company.

According to the EFCC, within the said period, the sum of N128 million was paid into the company’s account.

The Star