Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is taking legal action against Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, for multiple counts of naira mutilation and money laundering.
Bobrisky was arrested following a video showing him spraying cash at the premiere of Eniola Ajao’s ‘Beasts of Two Worlds’ movie on March 24, 2024.
In Nigeria, tampering with the Naira note or coin is a criminal offence punishable by law.
The EFCC stated that their investigation found Bobrisky had tampered with the Naira on several occasions in 2023.
“Bobrisky, in the first count, is alleged to have tampered with the sum of N400,000 by spraying the same while dancing at a social event at the IMAX Circle Mall, Lekki, Lagos. In count two, 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,” the statement read.
The EFCC added that “in count three, Bobrisky, in December 2023 at White Steve Event Hall, Ikeja also sprayed and tampered with another sum of N20,000 while dancing.”
Count four also alleges that Bobrisky sprayed and tampered with a sum of N20,000 while dancing at another event in Oniru, Victoria Island.
While Bobrisky was initially arrested on suspicion of tampering with the naira, the EFCC has now added additional charges of money laundering.
The agency stated that Bobrisky failed to report the activities of a company he established called the Bob Express to the appropriate institutions.
EFCC further revealed that large sums of money were deposited into the accounts of the company 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.”
In an earlier press statement announcing the arrest, Dele Oyewale, the spokesperson for the EFCC said “Bobrisky is with us. He was arrested last night in Lagos, and he is at our Lagos command.”
“We arrested him for alleged abuse of naira notes, spraying of naira notes, and currency mutilation, among others. We are very serious about restoring the dignity of the naira. Though our investigation is still ongoing, he will definitely be charged to court soon,” Mr Oyewale added.
This, however, occurs just two months after Oluwadarasimi Omoseyin, a Nigerian actress, was found guilty of treading on and spray-painting fresh naira notes during an event.
On February 1, 2024, she was taken into custody following the widespread social media release of a video of her dousing some fresh Naira notes.
According to a statement released by Mr. Oyewale, the EFCC spokesperson, the trial judge, Chukwujekwu Aneke, sentenced her to six months in prison on February 2, 2024, with the option of a N300,000 fine.