Veteran Nigerian entertainer and activist Charles Oputa, popularly known as Charly Boy, has revealed that he engaged in criminal activities during his younger years while living in the United States.
The outspoken social commentator made the disclosure during an appearance on Arise Television’s Prime Time programme, where he reflected on his past and the lessons he has drawn from it.
Charly Boy explained that he chose to speak openly about his mistakes because he hopes his personal experiences will inspire others to learn from their own challenges.
Looking back on his early years, the activist admitted that he made several poor decisions driven by youthful rebellion and reckless behaviour.
He said those choices placed him on a dangerous path that could have permanently altered the course of his life.
“I’ve made mistakes in my life. I’ve been a thief. I’ve done very risky things. I’ve done very stupid things, very foolish things,” he said.
Reflecting further, Charly Boy said he often wonders how he managed to survive the difficult period of his life, believing there was a greater purpose behind his journey.
“In fact, I have no business being here with you tonight, but I guess there’s a purpose for my life.”
The activist also disclosed that some of the offences he committed took place while he was living in the United States. According to him, he became involved in white-collar crime at about the age of 25.
“I was doing white-collar crime when I was in America. I was about 25 years old. I was doing a lot of stupid stuff. That’s why I say I’ve been there,” he revealed.
Although he did not elaborate on the nature of the crimes, Charly Boy said those experiences played a significant role in shaping his perspective on life and contributed to the person he eventually became.
Rather than conceal that chapter of his past, he said he documented it in his memoir as part of an honest account of his transformation. He noted that sharing the complete story reflects his journey from a reckless young man to someone committed to motivating others.
Charly Boy added that mistakes are a part of life, stressing that genuine personal growth begins when people acknowledge their shortcomings, learn from them, and move forward instead of pretending those experiences never happened.
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