Justice Abimbola Awogboro of the Federal High Court in Lagos has sentenced controversial cross-dresser Idris Olanrewaju Okuneye, famously known as Bobrisky, to six months imprisonment without an option of fine.
The judgment came after Bobrisky pleaded guilty to four counts of abusing the Nigerian currency, the naira.
During the sentencing, Justice Awogboro emphasized that the decision aims to serve as a deterrent to others who engage in similar acts of disrespect towards the national currency. Bobrisky, upon being questioned about his gender by the judge, affirmed his identity as a man.
The court found Bobrisky guilty of tampering with various sums of money issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria during social events held at different locations, including Imax Circle Mall, Jakande, Lekki; Aja Junction, Ikorodu; White Steve Event Hall, Ikeja; and Event Hall, Oniru, Victoria Island.
The counts against Bobrisky included instances where he was observed spraying and abusing N400,000, N50,000, and N20,000 denominations of the naira. Consequently, he has been ordered to serve his jail term at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre, with the sentence starting from March 24, 2024, the day of his arrest.
Initially convicted on April 5, the sentencing was delayed until after a public holiday declared by the Federal Government for Eid-El-Fitri celebrations. The case was adjourned to the last Thursday for sentencing.
The judgment sends a clear message about the seriousness with which the Nigerian judiciary views offenses related to the abuse and mutilation of the country’s currency, underlining the importance of upholding respect for legal tender.
