Bobrisky Appeals Sentence for Naira Abuse

Bobrisky, the controversial cross-dresser whose real name is Idris Okuneye, has taken legal action by filing a notice of appeal on Monday to challenge the six-month maximum sentence handed down to him by a Federal High Court in Lagos State.

The charges brought against Okuneye by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) were related to naira abuse, with four counts in total.

Despite pleading guilty before Justice A.O. Awogboro of the Federal High Court in Lagos, Okuneye was sentenced to six months in prison without the option of a fine on April 12.

Justice Awogboro emphasized that the judgment was meant to deter others from engaging in similar acts of abusing and mutilating the naira.

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However, Okuneye’s counsel, Mr. Bimbo Kusanu, has filed a notice of appeal seeking to have the Court of Appeal overturn the maximum sentence.

Kusanu is requesting that the court replace the sentence with a N50,000 fine for each of the counts.

In the notice of appeal, the counsel argued that the trial court’s decision to impose the maximum sentence on Okuneye, who had no prior criminal record, was not in line with the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA).

He contended that the sentence was punitive and went against the mandatory provisions of the ACJA.

The appellant’s counsel further pointed out that the trial court failed to take into account Okuneye’s positive antecedents, including his prompt guilty plea and cooperation with the authorities.

He argued that the trial court’s sentencing decision resulted in a miscarriage of justice against the appellant.