LATEST UPDATE: Lagos Federal High Court To Deliver Final Verdict On Bobrisky On April 9 For Naira Misuse

Justice Abimbola Awogboro, on Friday, decided that the well-known cross-dresser, Idris Okuneye, famously known as Bobrisky, shall remain under the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission's (EFCC) watch until April 9, 2024. This follows his admission of guilt in a case relating to the mishandling of Nigerian currency.
 
The Federal High Court in Lagos has seen to the allocation of a new date for handing down the sentence to the high-profile cross-dresser, Bobrisky.
On that Friday, Justice Abimbola Awogboro made it clear that Bobrisky is to be kept in EFCC's detention pending the day of sentencing.
 
Earlier revelations disclosed the court's decision to convict Bobrisky subsequent to his confession of disrespecting the Naira.
 
Earlier that day, Bobrisky conceded to four charges around Naira abuse and money laundering brought forward by the EFCC before Justice Awogboro.
 
Initially faced with six charges, the case saw a reduction to four following negotiations between the involved parties.
 
Bobrisky, who declared himself a social media phenomenon with a vast following, expressed unawareness of the law against Naira misuse in the court.
 
Justice Awogboro, however, reminded the influencer that ignorance doesn't exempt one from legal accountability.
Expressing regret, Bobrisky appealed for leniency, promising to also guide his followers better if given another opportunity.
 
EFCC's spokesman, Dele Oyewale, clarified that Bobrisky's apprehension was due to defacing Naira notes, not his cross-dressing habits.
 
The allegations primarily concerned Naira mishandling, with the latter charges pointing to suspected money laundering activities.
 
According to the charge sheet by EFCC Prosecutor Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN) and seven others, Bobrisky got accused of misusing N400,000 by spraying it during a social gathering at IMAX Circle Mall in Lekki, Lagos.
Committed on March 24, this act is contrary to the Central Bank Act 2007, as highlighted by the EFCC.
 
Additionally, the agency accused Bobrisky of misusing N50,000 at a function in Ikorodu and another N20,000 both in December at an event in Ikeja and another occasion in Oniru, Victoria Island.
 
Moreover, the EFCC charged him with failing to report his business activities under 'Bob Express' between September 1, 2021, and April 4, 2024, in Lagos, where about N127.7 million was deposited into the business account with Ecobank.
 
Also, it was alleged that Bobrisky did not report transactions amounting to another N53 million, thereby violating and facing penalties under the Money Laundering (Prevention And Prohibition) Act.