On Friday, the Federal High Court in Lagos sentenced controversial crossdresser Idris Olarewaju Okuneye, often known as Bobrisky, to six months in prison without the option of paying a fine for naira abuse.
While sentencing the defendant, Justice Abimbola Awogboro stated that the judgment would serve as a deterrent to others who have been seen abusing and mutilating the naira.
Before the sentence, the judge inquired about his gender, and he swiftly stated that he was a guy.
The judge ordered that the jail term began on March 24, 2024, the day of his arrest.
The court condemned him on April 5 after he pleaded guilty to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s accusation of misusing the naira.
The judge thus rescheduled the sentencing for Tuesday, April 9, 2024. However, the Federal Government made the day a national holiday to commemorate the Eid-el-Fitr festival.
Bobrisky had begged with the court last Friday, following his conviction, for a reduced term because he was unaware of the legislation against manipulating the naira.
Bobrisky implored the court during his allocutus that he was unaware of the rule against misusing the naira.
He claimed to be a social media influencer with more than five million followers.
The judge then informed him that ignorance of the law was no excuse.
He said, “I know, My Lord. My Lord, I wish you could grant me another opportunity to use my platform to enlighten and educate my followers against money spraying.
“I would create a video on my Facebook to teach people about spraying money.
“My Lord, I will not repeat it. My Lord, I regret my deeds.”
