This comes after Bobrisky was arrested on Wednesday when it was shown on camera that he was spraying money during the March 24, 2024, premiere of Eniola Ajao’s film “Beasts of Two Worlds.”
Bobrisky to face court over money laundering allegations, others
According to the laws of the West African nation, tampering with Naira notes or coins is illegal and subject to punishment.
The EFCC said in a news statement outlining the accusations that, in addition to the event on March 24, their research revealed that Bobrisky had tampered with the naira multiple times 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 accused Bobrisky of spraying and tampering with another sum of N20,000 while dancing at another event in Oniru, Victoria Island.
Although Bobrisky was arrested on suspicion of tampering with the naira, the EFCC has added additional charges of money laundering.
According to the agency, the crossdresser failed to report to appropriate institutions the activities of a company he established called the Bob Express.
EFCC revealed that on different occasions millions of naira was paid into the accounts of the company 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.
Meanwhile, this comes barely two months after Nigerian actress Oluwadarasimi Omoseyin was convicted for spraying and stepping on new naira notes at an event.
Bobrisky was arrested on February 1, 2024, after a video clip showing her spraying some new Naira notes went viral on social media.
On February 2, 2024, the trial judge, Chukwujekwu Aneke, sentenced her to six months imprisonment but with an option of a N300,000 fine, according to a statement by Mr Oyewale, EFCC’s spokesperson.