I’ve been a thief, made many foolish mistakes — Charlie Boy

Veteran entertainer and activist Charles Oputa, widely known as Charlie Boy, has disclosed startling details about his past, admitting to engaging in white-collar crime and committing numerous "foolish mistakes" during his youth. These experiences are set to be fully documented in his forthcoming memoir, '999.' Charlie Boy explained in an interview on Arise Prime Time that he intentionally chose to present an unfiltered narrative, including embarrassing and controversial aspects, to reflect his journey of mistakes, survival, and redemption.

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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.

"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," Charlie Boy stated. He elaborated on his time in the United States during his twenties, where he became involved in white-collar crime. "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," he recalled, adding that these experiences significantly shaped the person he is today and influenced his decision to write an honest life account.

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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.

The memoir, '999,' is described by Oputa as "a terrible kind of book," promising readers an unfiltered look at both his failures and triumphs. He mentioned leaving out only details he genuinely couldn't remember, emphasizing the comprehensive nature of the narrative. The title '999,' he explained, symbolizes a new chapter and a departure from the rebellious image he has been associated with for decades, signifying a "new beginning" focused on peace and tranquility.

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Old things have passed away. This is a new beginning for me. All I want now is peace and tranquillity.

Furthermore, Charlie Boy spoke about his personal battle with prostate cancer, an experience that motivated him to support other Nigerian men facing similar health challenges. He highlighted his efforts to encourage men to openly discuss their health issues, breaking down the societal notion that men should not express vulnerability. "After my surgery, I spent almost two years speaking with complete strangers who called me for advice. They trusted me enough to tell me very intimate things," he shared. Despite current frustrations in Nigeria, he remains optimistic about the country's future, noting a personal shift from seeking confrontation to embracing personal growth and service to humanity.

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I wanted to free a lot of men because we’ve been brainwashed into believing men don’t cry and shouldn’t talk about what they’re going through.