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.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has withdrawn the arrest warrant issued against Ezekiel Thankgod, the former manager of renowned gospel singer, Mercy Chinwo.
Biztellers reports that Thankgod is facing allegations of involvement in a $345,000 fraud case.
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The arrest warrant had been issued by Justice Alexander Owoeye of the Federal High Court on January 16, 2025, following an ex parte application by the EFCC seeking to compel Thankgod’s appearance in court.
During a court session on Friday, EFCC counsel, Mrs. Bilikisu Buhari, applied to withdraw the warrant, stating that the charges had already been served on Thankgod’s lawyer, Mr. Monday Ubani, SAN, during open court proceedings.
She argued that the warrant was no longer necessary.
Justice Owoeye granted the application and formally vacated the bench warrant.
Oba Otudeko, Chairman of Honeywell Group, appeared in the Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday to challenge charges of N12.3 billion fraud.
Biztellers reports that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had filed a 13-count indictment against Otudeko, along with Olabisi Onasanya, former Managing Director of FirstBank Plc., Soji Akintayo, a former board member of Honeywell, and Anchorage Leisure Ltd.
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During the proceedings, the defendants’ lawyer, Mr. Bode Olanipekun (SAN), raised an objection, stating that the charge had not been properly served to Otudeko or his co-defendants.
Olanipekun emphasized this issue as a reason for protest in court.
The EFCC has accused the individuals and the company of fraudulently obtaining N12.3 billion under false pretenses.
More to follow………..
Crime
Arrested Boko Haram Suspects: Adeleke Commends Security Operatives, Assures Safety Of Residents
Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has commended the personnel of the Department of State Services (DSS), on the successful operation, that led to the arrest of 10 suspected members of Boko Haram/Islamic State’s West Africa Province (ISWAP) in Ilesa, Osun State.
Gov Adeleke expressed his feelings in a statement on micro-blogging site, X, on Saturday.
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According to the statement, Gov Adeleke hailed the alertness of security operatives, to eliminate the threats posed by the suspected terrorists, which gives further assurance that our security agencies are up to the task of sustaining peace and security of every part of Nigeria.
He particularly commended the intelligence gathering of the personnel of the State Service, who have painstakingly monitor the activities of the suspected criminals and moved swiftly to cut off their dastardly act.
“This is a welcome development and a big relief, not just for us as a government but to the people of the state and Nigeria in general. I commend the security operatives for their alertness and intelligence driven operation. We have absolute confidence in our security forces to keep protecting us”, Gov Adeleke declared.
He assured that his administration will continue to cooperate with security agencies and support their operations to ensure maximum protection of lives and property of Osun people, noting that this remains top of his priority.
“As the Chief Security Officer of Osun State, I will continue to give priority to issues of security of my people. I will continue to support efforts of security agencies to guard against any breakdown of law and order in any part of Osun. We will sustain the good relationship and collaboration that currently exists between our administration and the security agencies in the state” the Governor noted.
Gov Adeleke enjoined residents of Osun to continue to be watchful, and report any suspicious activity in their neighborhoods to relevant security agency, while assuring that Osun will continue to be a peaceful state under his watch.
“I hereby call on my people to continue to live in peace and harmony and be at alert to report any suspicious activities or behavior around them to the relevant security authorities. Together, we will ensure that Osun remains the most peaceful state in Nigeria” he concluded.
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