Court Sentences Bobrisky to Jail, Rejects Option of Fine

Bobrisky, the Nigerian cross-dresser, Idris Olanrewaju Okuneye, has been sentenced to six months imprisonment without the option of a fine for his abuse of the Nigerian currency, the naira.

Justice Abimbola Awogboro of the Federal High Court in Lagos delivered the sentence, emphasizing that it should serve as a deterrent to others who engage in similar acts of abusing and defacing the naira.

Prior to the sentencing, the judge questioned Bobrisky about his gender, to which he promptly responded that he identifies as a man.

Consequently, he will serve his jail term at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre.

In her ruling, the judge specified that the imprisonment would commence on March 24, 2024, the day of Bobrisky’s arrest.

The court had previously convicted him on April 5 after he pleaded guilty to four counts of naira abuse, as charged by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The judge adjourned the case for sentencing, which was initially scheduled for last Thursday. However, the Federal Government declared that day a public holiday in observance of the Eid-El-Fitri celebration.

The charges against Bobrisky stated that he tampered with a total sum of N400,000.00 (four hundred thousand naira) notes issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria by spraying them during a social event at Imax Circle Mall, Jakande, Lekki, on March 24, 2024. This act constitutes an offense under section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act, 2007.

Furthermore, he was accused of tampering with the sum of N50,000.00 (Fifty Thousand Naira) issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria by spraying it during a social event at Aja Junction, lkorodu, between July and August 2023. This act also violates section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act, 2007.

Lastly, Bobrisky was charged with tampering with the naira during a social event at White Steve Event Hall, Ikeja, in December 2023, within the jurisdiction of the court.