On Friday, April 5, 2024, the Lagos Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) secured the conviction of Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, before Justice Abimbola Awogboro at the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, for the improper handling of Naira notes.
Bobrisky was charged with four counts of mutilation of Naira notes amounting to N490,000 (Four Hundred and Ninety Thousand Naira).
One of the charges stated: “That you, OKUNEYE IDRIS OLANREWAJU, on the 24th day of March 2024, at Imax Circle Mall, Jakande, Lekki, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, whilst dancing during a social event, tampered with the total sum of N400,000.00 (Four Hundred Thousand Naira) notes issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria by spraying same and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act, 2007.”
Bobrisky pleaded guilty to all charges when presented to him.
During the court proceedings, the prosecution counsel, S.I. Sulaiman, invited Investigating Officer ASE I Bolaji Temitope Aje to provide a summary of the case. Aje explained that the EFCC received intelligence about individuals misusing Naira notes at social gatherings in Lagos, leading to the establishment of a Special Operations Team to monitor and investigate these activities.
The team identified videos on social media showing Bobrisky engaging in the abuse of Naira notes at various locations, including the Imax Circle Mall and Aja Junction. Bobrisky acknowledged his involvement during questioning and was subsequently served with a bail condition.
Sulaiman sought to present Bobrisky’s statements and video evidence to the court, which were admitted as exhibits by Justice Awogboro.
Following Bobrisky’s admission of guilt, Justice Awogboro ruled that he was guilty as charged based on the evidence presented.
During his plea for leniency, Bobrisky expressed regret for his actions and promised to use his social media platform to educate his followers against the misuse of Naira notes. His defence counsel, Ayo Olumofin, appealed for a non-custodial sentence considering Bobrisky’s remorse, first-time offender status, and potential impact on his employees.
The Judge deferred sentencing to Tuesday, April 9, 2024, and ordered that Bobrisky be remanded in EFCC custody until then.
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