Bobrisky Challenges Sentencing, Seeks Fine Instead of Prison Term

Controversial cross-dresser, Idris Olanrewaju Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, has filed an appeal against the six-month imprisonment handed to him by the Federal High Court in Lagos for charges related to abuse of the naira.

In the appeal filed on his behalf by his lawyer, Bimbo Kusanu, Bobrisky is seeking the Court of Appeal to convert the six-month imprisonment to a fine of N50,000 on each of the four counts he was convicted of.

Bobrisky, who pleaded guilty to four counts of abusing the naira, was sentenced on April 12, 2024, by Justice Abimbola Awogboro, who imposed a six-month prison term without an option of fine. The judge emphasized that the judgment aimed to deter others from abusing and mutilating the naira.

In his Notice of Appeal submitted to the Appeal Court, Bobrisky argued that the sentence was overly punitive, especially considering his lack of previous criminal convictions.

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He contended that the trial court failed to consider his positive antecedents, including his cooperation during the investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Furthermore, Bobrisky highlighted that the imposition of the maximum sentence of six months imprisonment without an option of fine was contrary to provisions in the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) of 2015, which provide guidelines for sentencing first-time offenders.

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He claimed that the trial court’s reasons for imposing the maximum penalty, particularly considerations of foreign views on naira abuse, were flawed and did not align with the intent of the Central Bank Act 2007, which the appellant was charged under.

Bobrisky’s appeal asserts that the trial court’s sentencing was disproportionate and resulted in a miscarriage of justice, urging the Appeal Court to review and overturn the verdict based on these arguments.