Idris Olanrewaju Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, a controversial figure for his unconventional lifestyle, has been handed a six-month prison sentence without the possibility of a fine.
This ruling comes from Justice Abimbola Awogboro of the Federal High Court in Lagos, who emphasized the importance of setting an example to deter others from disrespecting and defacing the Nigerian currency, the naira.
Before pronouncing the sentence, the judge inquired about Bobrisky’s gender identity, to which he promptly asserted his identification as a male. Consequently, he has been directed to serve his prison term at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre, with the commencement of his sentence dated back to March 24, 2024, the day of his arrest.
Bobrisky’s conviction on April 5 followed his guilty plea to four counts of naira abuse, as charged by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The sentencing was originally scheduled for the previous Thursday, but it was postponed due to a public holiday declared by the Federal Government for the Eid-El-Fitri celebration.
The charges against him detailed incidents where he recklessly handled various sums of naira during social events, violating the Central Bank Act of 2007. These incidents included the improper dispersal of N400,000.00 at Imax Circle Mall, Jakande, Lekki, in March 2024, N50,000.00 at Aja Junction, lkorodu, between July and August 2023, N20,000.00 at White Steve Event Hall, Ikeja, in December 2023, and N20,000.00 at an Event Hall, Oniru, Victory Island, in 2022.
