EFCC Prosecutor Defends Dropping of Money Laundering Charges Against Bobrisky

 

On Monday, Bilikisu Bala, a prosecutor with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), testified before a Joint Committee of the House of Representatives investigating allegations of corruption involving some EFCC and Nigeria Correctional Service officers. Bala stated that the decision to drop money laundering charges against Idris Okuneye, widely known as Bobrisky, was lawful and adhered to the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.

In a statement released by the EFCC, Bala, who led the prosecution team in Okuneye's case, explained that the charges were dropped based on information from the Special Control Unit against Money Laundering (SCUML). The unit confirmed that Okuneye's business, Bob Express, was not classified as a Designated Non-Financial Institution, which meant he could not be prosecuted under the Money Laundering Prevention and Prohibition Act of 2022.

Bala elaborated, stating, “Initially, we filed six charges related to Naira abuse and money laundering based on Okuneye’s confession that his firm was not registered with SCUML and was not submitting required reports. Counts 1-4 were for Naira abuse, while counts five and six related to money laundering. However, after consulting SCUML about the firm’s status, we learned it had not breached any laws, leading us to drop the money laundering charges and focus on the counts related to Naira mutilation, to which Okuneye pleaded guilty.”

The prosecutor firmly dismissed allegations of financial inducement in the decision to drop the charges, asserting that there was no basis for such claims. “The Administration of Criminal Justice Act allows for the amendment of charges, which is standard practice. It is absurd to suggest that our decision was influenced by money. Our inquiry to SCUML was intended to ensure compliance with the law,” she stated.

Bala urged the committee to thoroughly investigate all claims against the EFCC and to make their findings public to uphold justice. Michael Nzekwe, Chief of Staff to the EFCC Chairman, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the commission’s commitment to the integrity of its staff and the seriousness with which it regards allegations of bribery.

The controversy arose after Okuneye, who was convicted for Naira abuse, claimed in a viral video that he had offered ₦15 million as a bribe to unnamed EFCC officers to drop the money laundering charges against him.