Obasanjo Calls Charly Boy ‘Jaga Jaga’, Praises His Care for Father, Justice Oputa

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has described entertainer and activist Charles Oputa, popularly known as Charly Boy, as “jaga jaga”, while acknowledging the care he gave his late father, Justice Chukwudifu Oputa.

Obasanjo made the remarks while explaining his initial impression of Charly Boy during an appearance on the Curiosity Made Me Ask programme. He said Charly Boy’s appearance and unconventional lifestyle initially made it difficult for him to have much regard for the entertainer.

“Can you see a gentleman who dresses like a woman? A gentleman who dresses like a bush man? Charly Boy is too jaga jaga but he has a good father,” Obasanjo said.

The former president spoke more warmly about Justice Oputa, a former Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria whom he said was among the Nigerians he respected greatly during his lifetime.

Obasanjo recalled visiting Justice Oputa at a time when he did not know he was at Charly Boy’s home. He said the first thing that caught his attention was a motorcycle parked outside the house, which contributed to his initial impression of the entertainer.

His view of Charly Boy changed, however, after he saw how the entertainer cared for his father. Obasanjo said he was impressed by the level of attention Justice Oputa received and by the fact that Charly Boy was personally involved in his father’s care.

“So I started changing my mind about Charly Boy and until Oputa died, Charly Boy took perfect care of him and he really behaved like a good child,” Obasanjo said.

Justice Chukwudifu Oputa, who served on Nigeria’s Supreme Court, died in 2014 at the age of 96. Charly Boy has frequently spoken publicly about his relationship with his father and the role he played in caring for him during his final years.

Obasanjo’s comments therefore combined criticism of Charly Boy’s unconventional public persona with praise for his conduct as a son. His account suggests that his personal assessment of the entertainer changed after witnessing the relationship between Charly Boy and his father.