Social Media Sensation Bobrisky Convicted for Naira Abuse
Justice Abimbola Awogboro of the Federal High Court, Lagos, has convicted popular cross-dresser Idris Olanrewaju Okuneye, widely known as Bobrisky, after he pleaded guilty to charges of abusing the Nigerian currency, the naira.
The conviction, which occurred after Bobrisky admitted guilt to the first four counts of naira abuse, came as a shock to many of his followers. The sentencing, however, has been deferred until April 9, with the judge ordering Bobrisky’s remand in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Prior to his conviction, Bobrisky attempted to plead ignorance of the law concerning the misuse of the naira, stating that he was unaware of the legal implications. However, Justice Awogboro reiterated that ignorance of the law is not an excuse.
In a bid for leniency, Bobrisky appealed to the court, expressing regret for his actions and pledging to utilize his social media platform, boasting over five million followers, to educate the public on the proper handling of money. “I would do a video on my page and I will educate people about spraying money. I will not repeat it again, my lord,” he stated.
The sentencing options faced by Bobrisky include serving a six-month prison term, paying a fine of N50,000, or a combination of both penalties, as outlined in Section 21(1) of the CBN Act 2007.
During the proceedings, the EFCC’s counsel requested the court to dismiss counts five and six, related to money laundering allegations, which the judge subsequently struck out, narrowing the focus to counts one to four, solely concerning naira abuse.
Bobrisky, brought to court by EFCC officials in a white bus, was cooperative during the proceedings. His arrest earlier in the week sparked widespread attention, marking a significant moment in the ongoing battle against financial crimes in Nigeria.
