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Why we dropped money laundering charges against Bobrisky – EFCC

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has officially withdrawn money laundering charges against popular cross-dresser Idris Okuneye, commonly known as Bobrisky.

The decision was influenced by Bobrisky’s confessional statement regarding the misuse of Naira notes.

This development emerged during an investigation led by the House of Representatives Joint Committee on the EFCC and the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS).

“We initially raised six count charges bordering on Naira Abuse and Money Laundering against Okuneye based on his confessional statement that his firm, Bob Express, was not registered with SCUML and was not rendering returns to it. Counts 1-4 were on Naira Abuse while counts five and six were on money laundering.

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“Okuneye’s confession that he didn’t register his firm, Bob Express with SCUML and not rendering returns to it informed the money laundering charges initially included in the six count charges. However, when we wrote to SCUML on the status of the firm, the Unit responded that it was not a Designated Non-Financial Institution, Business and Profession, DNFIBP.

“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”, EFCC prosecutor, Bilikisu Buhari, told the Committee.

The prosecutor also dismissed claims of financial inducement in dropping charges maintaining that no such thing happened.

“There is simply no basis for that. The Administration of Criminal Justice Act, ACJA, allows amendment of charges. It is a professional practice. It is laughable for anyone to attribute our decision to monetary issues.

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“Why did we write to SCUML if we didn’t want to include the charges? We wrote to be lawfully guided and when the Unit responded that the firm had not breached any law, on what basis should we have retained the money laundering charges?,” she said.

Also, while testifying before the Legislative Committee, the NCoS, in its defense, stated that Bobrisky was not placed in the general prison population at Kirikiri Custodial Centre due to concerns for his safety.

As a transgender person with female physical features, placing him among other inmates could have put him at risk of sexual violence.

Deputy Controller of Kirikiri Correctional Centre, Michael Anugwa, said:

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“We didn’t put Bobrisky inside General Cell Population because he is a Transgender and has female features.

“Though male, he has some female features. He has breasts and this is the original medical examination done by the facility’s medical doctor. The admission board had to enter a meeting to discuss on the best practices and we arrived at the decision to put him in protective custody and he spent the 10 days in our P ward room 2 of the facility.

“During admission, there is what we call classification of inmates. In his case, it was peculiar and we had to take peculiar steps.

“If we had put him in General Cell with the rest inmates, they would have killed Bobrisky overnight. Kirikiri Prison is filled with lots of hardened criminals who are convicted rapists and even many convicted for sodomy.”

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Recall that the EFCC and NCoS were summoned to the committee following allegations that Bobrisky had bribed officials with N15 million to drop the charges and secure preferential treatment in custody.

Both agencies denied any financial inducements.

During the session, Bobrisky was absent due to reported health issues, though his lawyer was unable to provide supporting medical documentation.

The committee also heard from Martins Vincent Otse, known as VeryDarkMan, who had shared an audio recording in which Bobrisky allegedly confessed to bribing officials.

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(Updated) HISTORIC Citizens Engagement: HoR leaders insist “our own House is not a rubber stamp(Photos)

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…reels out achievements

…treated 1,351 Bills, highest in Legislative biz since 1999

… passed 89 Bills

By Gloria Ikibah

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Leaders of the tenth House of Representatives on Friday silenced arm chair critics declaring that the tenth House can never be a rubber stamp.

Speaking at a one-day Citizens Engagement, first of its kind in the annals of Nigeria’s National Assembly, the House leaders told Nigerians that the tenth House cannot be categorized as a rubber stamp.

The Speaker, Hon Tajudeen Abbas after listing the HoR people friendly motions and Bills that will enhance good governance championed by the House equally rejected the toga of rubber stamp.

The Majority leader, Prof Julius. Ihonvbere also noted that “the tax reform Bills before us has not passed second reading as we’re still adequately consulting.

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“We cannot be categorized a rubber stamp as we know what we’re doing in the tenth House.

Speaking in the same vein, Minority Leader, Rep Kingsley Chinda said”we disagree to agree on topical issues and in most cases we table sensitive matters during our executive sessions and if there’s need to exchange blows, we exchange but not in public.

The Speaker vacated his seat for a 16-year-old girl to commemorate the International Day of the Girl Child.

” The constitutional review committee, led by the Deputy Speaker, continues its engagement with stakeholders on pivotal issues, including local government autonomy, electoral reform, and judicial independence.

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“On 18th December 2024, President Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, presented the 2025 Appropriation Bill to the National Assembly. The House has committed it to committee review and will host a Town Hall in January 2025 to gather public input, ensuring that the budget aligns with the needs of Nigerians.

” We recognize the economic challenges arising from recent reforms, including removing subsidies. In solidarity with the Nigerian populace, Members have willingly relinquished 50% of their salaries to support government efforts to mitigate these challenges’ impact.

Also at the Citizens engagement, former Speaker of the HoR, Hon Patricia Etteh advised the House leaders to document Bills in various local languages to have a general positive effect as illiteracy tends to deny others of what they ought to know.

Speaker of the eighth HoR, Hon Yakubu Dogara hailed the program noting that it’s the first time reps directly talk to the people they represent.

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The Citizens Engagement interactive session had people drawn from all strata of the society, academia, civil society groups, students, rural dwellers from all the six geo-political zones of Nigeria.

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Enugu Relationship Coach Sets Guinness World Record with 103 Interviews on Marriage and Family

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Popular Enugu-born relationship coach, Princess Joseph Okechukwu, who broke the Guinness World Record for the longest interviewing marathon by an individual has given reasons behind achieving such feat.

The Nkanu-born lady conducted interviews for 72 hours and 12 minutes, surpassing her initial target of 65 hours and 30 seconds.

The marathon, titled Kings’ Couples Palooza, began on Thursday, December 5, 2024, to December 8, 2024 at No. 61A Ezillo Independence Layout, Enugu, where Princess Okechukwu interviewed 103 participants, including couples, singles, widows, and divorced individuals, on topics related to relationships, marriage, and personal growth.

Speaking with newsmen after achieving this feat, Princess Okechukwu thanked God for the opportunity to have achieved one of her biggest goals in life.

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She stated that the zeal to inform the world about the beauty of marriage, its benefits, and more in a society that is gradually losing interest in family values prompted the Guinness World Record attempt.

She posited that there is beauty in workable marriages, and its awareness needs to be made known to all, especially those who are already misinformed.

According to her:
“This was about promoting the beauty of workable marriages and inspiring a renewed interest in family preservation.
The primary vision behind this record attempt was to show the world the beauty of workable marriage and stir the passion in them to desire them, thereby promoting marital rebirth and family preservation.
This prompted me to conduct in-depth interviews with over 100 couples and individuals, just to show the world the beauty of workable marriages and steps towards having great marriages.
I believe that there is a need for global awareness of marital rejuvenation and family strengthening, according to UN Goal 16 (Peace, Family Strengthening).

There is a need to promote marital rebirth and family preservation through mutual respect, meaningful connections, understanding of gender roles and responsibilities, trust, and right communication in relationships.”

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Princess Okechukwu also narrated the challenges and ordeals encountered during the Guinness World Record attempt, which she said almost demoralized her. However, her strong will and determination helped push her through.

“It was almost a failed mission. I had few individuals who believed in my vision, and to get the support of many was hard. A series of promises from people were not fulfilled.
But despite the absence of sponsors, physical supporters, and disappointment from expected and unexpected sources, I persevered and achieved my goal. Although I didn’t meet my initial proposed expectations, I believe that I delivered my best effort considering the resources available to me. My passion for promoting global awareness of marital rebirth and family preservation drove me forward, resonating deeply within me. I sought to demonstrate that a determined girl-child can accomplish extraordinary feats despite obstacles, as long as she believes in herself. Another source of my motivation was to make my husband, children, family, community, state, and country proud.”

She, however, thanked all those who availed their time, resources, and more to ensure a successful outing, while also urging everyone to join hands in strengthening the marital institution across the globe.

“I am grateful to everyone who supported me throughout this endeavor, including the participants, volunteers, and witnesses. This achievement would not have been possible without their collective efforts.
As I look to the future, I am excited to continue promoting the importance of relationships, marriages, family, and community building. This record attempt has inspired me to pursue new initiatives and projects that foster meaningful connections and personal growth. Let us all join hands to make marriage a formidable institution for societal growth across the globe.”

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Reports also have it that independent witnesses and timekeepers verified the record attempt, ensuring all guidelines were followed during the Guinness World Record attempt, while volunteers also provided logistical support throughout the event.

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SHOCKING! Wife allegedly k!lls husband over infidelity

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A Nigerian wife in Ekiti has allegedly killed her husband by striking him on the head with a stick after he caught her in bed with another man.

The incident was shared on a popular social media platform, X formerly known as Twitter.

According to an anonymous post, the man had been suspicious of his wife’s infidelity and eventually caught her in the act.

Upon being confronted, the wife allegedly hit him on the head with a stick, leading to his death.

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The post read: “With ache in my heart ńa in I dey type this thing One woman just hit her husband 2by2 for head where he no go escape death because he’s been hearing say she dey cheat, lo and behold he caught her and the man never knew it would be the end of him.”

“He’s dead. Woman wey dey cheat, if she no kill herself she go kill husband, today this saying come to pass live and direct in ldo Ekiti.”

As the story circulated online, it sparked widespread reactions, with many users sharing their thoughts in the comment section.

See reactions below:

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@caeser5: “Na madness I go use know say my wife don knack another man.”

@janetfunmi: “And she will pay dearly for it. Something she will regret.”

@ifemi333: “A cheating woman when caught is dangerous, don’t sleep in the same house moments she is caught cheating. Don’t eat her food if possible go report her to the police station for eviction immediately for your own safety.”

@gdc4bb: “Man went to confront a lioness in her lair. Now he has left the land of the living while she lives to face the law.”

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@MrWhizdom: “I’m not going to lie , I’ve always been thinking maybe you can give a woman a second chance if she cheats. Man I’m happy this community exists. I’ve learnt things I didn’t even know I was supposed to learn.”

@Dim_Arinze: “Rumours are enough for me to quarantine a woman from myself. Then after investigating , I can continue depending on the results. Talk more of the actual cheating.”

@kshort: “More to say, once you caught your wife cheating; don’t drag anything with her. Just call everyone and end it there. Don’t let her kill you oooo.”

@sokabullah: “If only my gender could be bold enough to do the needful once you discover you have one around you.”

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@Jb_Phraidezyy: “My question is, why be in a relationship if you can’t stay true to the one you call your partner. Na God go punish that woman and my babe.’

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