Justice Abimbola Awogboro of the Federal High Court in Lagos, on Friday, sentenced controversial crossdresser, Idris Olarewaju Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, to six months imprisonment without the option of a fine for abusing the naira.
The judge, while sentencing the convict, said the judgment would be a deterrent to others who are found abusing and mutilating the naira.
Prior to the sentence, Justice Abimbola Awogboro asked about his sex, and he quickly replied that he was a man.
The judge ruled that the jail term began on March 24, 2024, the day of his arrest.
It would be recalled that the court had, earlier, on April 5, convicted him after he pleaded guilty to the court’s charge of abusing the naira currency made against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The judge therefore adjourned the sentencing to Tuesday, April 9, 2024, however, the day was declared a public holiday by the Federal Government for the Eid-el-Fitr celebration.
The charges against him read: “that you, Okuneye Idris Olanrewaju, on the 24th day of March,2024,at imax Circle Mall, Jakande, Lekki, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court whilst dancing during a social event tampered with| tHe total sum of N400,000.00 (Four Hundred Thousand Naira) notes issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria by spraying same and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable ’ under section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act, 2007.
Bobrisky had last Friday, after his conviction, begged the court to give him a lesser punishment as he was ignorant of the law of abusing the naira.
He said that he is a social media influencer with over five million followers.
The judge then told him that ignorance of the law was not an excuse.
He said, “I know my Lord. My lord, I wish that you could give me a second chance to use my platform to inform and educate my followers about spraying money.
“I would do a video on my page and I would educate people about spraying money.
“I will not repeat it, my lord, I regret my actions, my lord.”