The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has officially dropped money laundering charges against Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky. Prosecutor Bilikisu Bala announced on Monday that the decision to dismiss the charges was in line with the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.
Bala, who led the prosecution team, explained that the Special Control Unit against Money Laundering confirmed that Okuneye’s company, Bob Express, was not classified as a Designated Non-Financial Institution, Business, or Profession. Consequently, it could not be prosecuted under the Money Laundering Prevention and Prohibition Act of 2022.
This announcement was made during a session of the Joint Committee of the House of Representatives, which is investigating allegations of corruption involving EFCC officials and the Nigeria Correctional Service.
Okuneye, a former convict, had previously claimed in a viral video that he bribed certain EFCC officials with N15 million to drop the money laundering charges against him. However, Bala refuted these allegations, stating, “There is simply no basis for that.”
Initially, six charges were filed against Okuneye related to currency abuse and money laundering, based on his confession that Bob Express was not registered with the Special Control Unit and had not been submitting required reports. The charges included four counts of naira abuse and two counts of money laundering. However, upon consulting the SCUML, which clarified that Bob Express was not in violation of any laws, the EFCC could not legally sustain the money laundering charges.
Bala emphasized that the decision to drop the charges was purely professional, stating, “It is laughable for anyone to attribute our decision to monetary issues.” She further asserted that the EFCC’s inquiry to SCUML was made to ensure legal compliance, reinforcing that there was no justification for retaining the money laundering charges once the unit clarified the firm’s status.
