According to a report by Vanguard News on Saturday, June 27, 2026, Veteran entertainer and activist, Charles Oputa, widely known as Charlie Boy, has opened up about the mistakes and controversial choices that shaped his early life, revealing that he was involved in white-collar crime and made several poor decisions during his younger years.
He explained that these experiences are captured in his forthcoming memoir, 999, which he described as an honest account of his journey through mistakes, survival and personal transformation.
Speaking during an interview on Arise News>’ Prime Time programme, Charlie Boy said he intentionally refused to hide embarrassing or controversial aspects of his life because he wanted the book to reflect the truth about his experiences.
He acknowledged that he had made numerous mistakes, engaged in risky activities and committed actions he now considers foolish, adding that he often wonders how he survived those periods of his life and believes there is a greater purpose behind his continued existence.
According to him, those difficult experiences played a significant role in shaping the person he is today and inspired him to write a memoir that presents both his failures and achievements without concealment.
Describing the book as intense and deeply revealing, Charlie Boy said he left out very little from his life story, except for events he could no longer remember clearly.
He explained that the title 999 represents a fresh phase in his life rather than the rebellious public image many Nigerians have associated with him over the years. He said he has moved beyond his past and now desires a life centred on peace and tranquillity.
Charlie Boy noted that ageing has transformed his attitude towards life, replacing his former attraction to conflict and controversy with a focus on personal wellbeing, discipline and service to others. He said he now avoids unnecessary stress, pays close attention to his health, exercises regularly, watches his diet and carefully chooses the influences he allows into his life.
He also reflected on his battle with prostate cancer, saying the experience motivated him to support other Nigerian men facing similar health challenges. He explained that many men have been conditioned to hide their struggles and avoid discussing their emotional or medical difficulties.
Following his surgery, he spent nearly two years speaking with men from different backgrounds who sought his advice and trusted him enough to share deeply personal experiences.
On national issues, Charlie Boy said that despite the frustrations many Nigerians currently feel, he remains hopeful about the country’s future and believes that meaningful change will ultimately come through the younger generation.
He also spoke about his complicated relationship with his late father, former Supreme Court Justice Chukwudifu Oputa, explaining that his rebellious nature stemmed partly from a desire to create his own identity rather than live under his father’s shadow.
