JUST IN: Court convicts Bobrisky

The Federal High Court in Lagos has convicted popular cross-dresser, Idris Okuneye, aka Bobrisky for abusing the Naira.

National Beam gathered that Bobrisky pleaded guilty to the charges of naira abuse.

Justice Abimbola Awogboro on Friday convicted him after the review of the facts of the case.

In his allocution, Bobrisky told the court that he was not aware of the law on abusing the naira.

He said 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.

He said, “I know, My Lord. 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.

“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.”

The judgement was reserved for April 9, 2024 by Justice Abimbola Awogboro, who ordered that the controversial cross-dresser should 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 and money laundering preferred against him by the anti-corruption agency before Justice Awogboro.

Bobrisky was originally arraigned on six counts but two of the charges 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.

National Beam had earlier reported that Bobrisky was arrested on Wednesday evening by personnel of the EFCC in Lagos State.

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.