he Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has officially withdrawn the money laundering charges against popular cross-dresser Idris Okuneye, known as Bobrisky. This decision stems from a confessional statement made by Bobrisky regarding the misuse of Naira notes and follows a comprehensive investigation by the House of Representatives Joint Committee on the EFCC and the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS).
The EFCC initially filed six charges against Bobrisky, which included allegations of Naira abuse and money laundering. These charges were based on Bobrisky's admission that his company, Bob Express, was not registered with the Special Control Unit Against Money Laundering (SCUML) and had failed to provide necessary returns. The charges consisted of four counts related to Naira abuse and two counts of money laundering.
EFCC prosecutor Bilikisu Buhari explained that upon further investigation and communication with SCUML, it was confirmed that Bob Express did not qualify as a Designated Non-Financial Institution or a Business and Profession (DNFIBP). This clarification led to the conclusion that the charges of money laundering could not be sustained. Buhari emphasized, "We cannot lawfully sustain the charges in all sincerity. We, therefore, dropped them and relied on the four counts on Naira mutilation to which Okuneye had pleaded guilty."
Buhari also refuted allegations of financial inducement behind the decision to drop the charges, asserting that such claims were unfounded. "There is simply no basis for that. The Administration of Criminal Justice Act allows amendment of charges. It is a professional practice," she stated, further questioning the motives behind such allegations.
During the investigation, the NCoS provided insights into the custody arrangements for Bobrisky, revealing that he was not placed in the general prison population at the Kirikiri Custodial Centre due to safety concerns. Given Bobrisky's transgender identity and female physical features, officials determined that placing him among the general inmate population could expose him to potential sexual violence.
Deputy Controller of Kirikiri Correctional Centre, Michael Anugwa, remarked, "We didn’t put Bobrisky inside the General Cell Population because he is a Transgender and has female features." He explained that Bobrisky was classified into protective custody during his 10-day stay, highlighting the need for special considerations in such unique cases to prevent possible harm.
The EFCC and NCoS were summoned to the legislative committee following allegations that Bobrisky had bribed officials with ₦15 million to facilitate the withdrawal of charges and gain preferential treatment during his custody. Both agencies vehemently denied these allegations, asserting that no financial inducements were involved in their decisions.
Notably, Bobrisky was absent from the hearing due to reported health issues, with his legal counsel failing to provide medical documentation to support these claims. The committee also heard testimony from Martins Vincent Otse, known as VeryDarkMan, who presented an audio recording in which Bobrisky allegedly confessed to bribing officials.
The withdrawal of money laundering charges against Bobrisky marks a notable turn in the ongoing legal saga surrounding the controversial figure. As the situation continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how it will impact both Bobrisky's public persona and the broader discussions regarding the handling of similar cases in Nigeria's legal system.
