Crime
Bobrisky’s Money Laundering Charges Legally Dropped – EFCC
Amid ongoing investigations into allegations of corruption within the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Nigeria Correctional Service, the EFCC’s prosecutor Bilikisu Bala has confirmed that the decision to drop money laundering charges against Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, was fully compliant with the law.
Bala made this clarification on Monday during a hearing before the Joint Committee of the House of Representatives.
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Bala, who led the prosecution team in Okuneye’s trial, explained that the charges were dropped after the Special Control Unit against Money Laundering (SCUML) confirmed that Okuneye’s company, Bob Express, was not classified as a Designated Non-Financial Institution, Business, and Profession (DNFIBP).
As such, the company could not be prosecuted for violating the Money Laundering Prevention & Prohibition Act of 2022.
According to a statement from Dele Oyewale, Head of Media and Publicity at the EFCC, Bala made these disclosures while addressing the committee on Monday.
She refuted claims made by Okuneye in a viral video, where he alleged that he had paid a N15 million bribe to EFCC officials to drop the money laundering charges.
In her address, Bala emphasized that the initial six-count charges against Okuneye included offenses related to naira abuse and money laundering.
However, the money laundering charges were based on Okuneye’s confession that his firm, Bob Express, was not registered with SCUML and was not submitting mandatory returns.
“Counts 1-4 were related to naira abuse, while counts five and six pertained to money laundering,” Bala stated.
She explained that when the EFCC sought clarification from SCUML regarding the status of Bob Express, they received confirmation that the company was not a DNFIBP. Consequently, the EFCC had no legal grounds to pursue the money laundering charges.
“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,” Bala said.
The prosecutor firmly dismissed allegations that the charges were dropped due to any financial inducement, stressing that the decision was based solely on legal grounds.
“The Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) allows for the amendment of charges. It is a professional practice, and it is laughable to suggest that the decision was influenced by monetary issues,” she added.
Additionally, Bala stated that the EFCC followed the proper legal process by consulting SCUML and acted in accordance with the law once it was confirmed that Okuneye’s firm had not violated any money laundering provisions.
A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Maitama has issued a public summons for former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, requiring him to appear in court on October 24.
This summons follows the filing of a 16-count charge of alleged fraud by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The EFCC has accused Bello, alongside two others—Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu—of criminal breach of trust involving a staggering sum of N110.4 billion.
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The public summons was issued by Justice Maryanne Anenih on Thursday, after the EFCC reported difficulties in serving Bello with the charges.
Bello’s absence led to the postponement of his arraignment, which was originally scheduled for Thursday.
This latest development follows prior efforts to compel Bello to attend court, including a May ruling by Justice Emeka Nwite that mandated his physical presence, as well as a recent order from the Court of Appeal.
Darius Ishaku, the former governor of Taraba State, has been granted bail of N150 million by a high court in Maitama, Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Ishaku appeared in court on Monday alongside Bello Yero, the former permanent secretary of the Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, facing serious allegations including criminal breach of trust, conspiracy, and conversion of public funds.
The two defendants pleaded “not guilty” to a total of 15 charges during their arraignment.
In a court session on Thursday, their legal teams presented bail applications, which were not opposed by the prosecution.
Rotimi Jacobs, representing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), stated that he had no objection since the defendants had previously been granted administrative bail.
Judge Sylvanus Oriji approved the bail, requiring each defendant to provide two sureties in the same amount as the bail.
The sureties must be responsible citizens residing in the FCT, with verifiable office and residential addresses.
Additionally, at least one surety for each defendant must hold a director-level position in the civil service.
The court imposed restrictions on both men, preventing them from traveling outside the country without prior approval and mandating that they deposit their travel documents with the court.
Ishaku, 70, who governed Taraba from 2015 to 2023, was previously invited by the EFCC in July 2023 regarding financial transactions during his tenure, resulting in his initial release on bail.
However, both Ishaku and Yero were arrested and detained by the EFCC on September 27, 2024.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested 33 individuals suspected of involvement in internet fraud during a recent operation in Port Harcourt.
The agency announced the arrests via its X account (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday.
The suspects were apprehended in a sting operation in the Iwofe and Ogboro areas of the city, following credible intelligence regarding their alleged criminal activities.
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Along with the arrests, the EFCC seized a range of items, including several mobile phones, laptops, and boxes containing counterfeit United States dollars.
The operation also revealed fake stamps from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Customs, airport clearance, DHL, and FedEx, as well as two vehicles.
The suspects are currently in custody and will face charges in court upon the completion of ongoing investigations.
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