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.
Read Also: Ogun Restricts #FearlessInOctober Protesters To Four Designated Venues
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.
Operatives of the Enugu Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested Basil Iwoba Ochili, Managing Director of Debasilio Construction and Estate Development Limited, over alleged fraudulent activities involving N128 million.
The EFCC disclosed this in a statement posted on its official X account on Wednesday.
According to the commission, Ochili was arrested for allegedly using his company for fraudulent activities, including “obtaining by false pretence to the tune of N128,000,000.00 (One Hundred and Twenty-eight Million Naira).”
SEE ALSO: EFCC Warns Lawyers Against Charging Clients in Foreign Currencies
The EFCC said Ochili was arrested based on a claim by a petitioner who alleged that sometime in September 2022, the suspect falsely presented himself as the owner of five plots of land situated beside Anambra State Secretariat by Stamford Hotel, Aroma Junction, Awka, Anambra State, and falsely offered the property for sale.
“Relying on the suspect’s representation, the petitioner purchased the said plots in the sum of N128,000,000.00 (One Hundred and Twenty-Eight Million Naira), which was paid into the suspect’s company account,” the EFCC said.
However, the commission said the petitioner was unable to take possession of the land.
Preliminary investigations, according to the EFCC, showed that the suspect knew that the land “encroached on Anambra State Government Secretariat’s land” but allegedly went ahead to sell it to the petitioner.
The commission further said that instead of refunding the petitioner’s money, Ochili “offered him two dud cheques.”
“Further preliminary investigations showed that the suspect used part of the money to settle his debts,” the EFCC said.
The commission also stated that Ochili’s company, Debasilio Construction and Estate Development Limited, “has never been tax compliant.”
The EFCC said the suspect will be charged to court after investigations are concluded.
“The suspect will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded,” the commission stated.
The Federal High Court (FHC) sitting in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, has sentenced nine convicted crude oil thieves to 10 years in prison without an option of fine following a joint intelligence-led operation by the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigerian Navy (NN).
The convicts were among 19 suspects arrested earlier this year after security operatives caught them allegedly stealing crude oil from an oil well head identified as Asabo-D in Ibeno Local Council of the state.
READ ALSO: DPRP to Favour Small Investors in Event of IPO Oversubscription
Delivering judgment on Monday, Justice Joy Ikpeme found the nine men guilty on a two-count charge of conspiracy and tampering with an oil pipeline, contrary to Section 1(7) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act.
The judge sentenced each of them to five years’ imprisonment on the first count and 10 years on the second count, with no option of fine. The sentences are to run concurrently.
The remaining 10 suspects arrested during the operation are expected to face further legal proceedings.
The arrests followed an intelligence-led operation conducted by the DSS in collaboration with the NN as part of efforts to disrupt crude oil theft and illegal bunkering activities in the oil-producing communities of Akwa Ibom.
The conviction was described by a security source as another significant step in the sustained campaign against oil theft, particularly along Nigeria’s maritime and riverine areas.
According to the source, crude oil theft and illegal bunkering have continued to deprive the country of vital oil revenue while inflicting serious environmental damage on host communities.
The source said the latest conviction underscored the determination of security agencies to ensure that those involved in the theft of the nation’s crude resources are brought to justice.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has called on legal practitioners in the country to desist from the illegal and unethical practice of charging clients in foreign currencies.
The Commission disclosed this in a post on its official X account on Monday.
SEE ALSO: Expose Stolen Nigerian Assets Abroad, Get Up to 5% Reward — EFCC
The call was made on Friday, September 11, 2026, in Lagos by the Acting Zonal Director of the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the EFCC, ACE I Bawa Usman Kaltungo, when he received a delegation of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Lagos Task Force on Illegal Practice of Law, led by its Head, Moshood Abiola.
Speaking during the interactive session, Kaltungo expressed concern over the activities of lawyers who engage in “illegal and unethical practices,” stressing that the Commission would not hesitate to prosecute anyone found culpable.
He also urged legal practitioners to desist from charging their clients in foreign currencies, warning that such practice could attract regulatory action.
Dangote IPO Will Spread Wealth Across Nigeria – Emir Sanusi
Abdulhamid Kabara Takes Over as New NSCDC Niger Commandant
Tinubu Sets October 1 Deadline for Lower Transport Fares Nationwide
‘We Don’t Fix Pump Prices’ — NMDPRA Breaks Silence on Rising Petrol Prices
The Soludo, Obi Spat – When Brothers Fight to the Finish
‘Calling Tinubu Bola, Giving Him Orders Is Insolence’ — Sunday Dare Blasts Atiku
Trump’s Family Unveils New Cryptocurrency Platform
Senate Denies Receiving Petitions Against Tinubu’s Ambassadorial Nominees
Dangote Cement Lights Up Benue Host Communities With CSR Initiatives
Reps Recommend 3-year Jail Term For Aviation minister
Tems Sets New Record On Billboard Hot 100 Chart
