Nigerian Crossdresser, Idris Okuneye, otherwise known as Bobrisky, has been sentenced to six months imprisonment by a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos State.
This development came a few hours after the same count released embattled former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, on bail, despite his 26-count, corruption, and terrorism charges.
Why Was Bobrisky Arrested?
Fintech Telex understands that operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arrested Bobriski after a video of the self-acclaimed male barbie surfaced on social media spraying naira on the floor.
Bobrisky was said to have been invited over a video of him spraying and flaunting naira notes at the premiere of the movie Ajakaju by Eniola Ajao, a Nollywood actress and producer, at Film One Circle Mall, Lekki, Lagos on March 24, 2024.
The EFCC added that the cross-dresser has been found guilty of the same offense on multiple occasions at various events and parties, as per their investigation.
On the 5th of April, 2024, Bobrisky pleaded guilty to a four-count charge of Naira abuse brought against him by the anti-graft agency.
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Delivering judgment on Friday, April 12, 2024, Justice Abimbola Awogboro held that “the act of mutilating the Naira notes has become a menace, which has continued to damage the image of the country”.
Awogboro also said the judgment would be a deterrent to others who are found abusing and mutilating the naira.
The judge subsequently sentenced Bobrisky to six months imprisonment, without an option fine.
The prison term will start counting from the date of his remand.
Emefiele’s bail
A high court in Ikeja, Lagos, granted a N50 million bail to the former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, on Friday, April 12, 2024.
Judge Rahmon Oshodi ruled on the bail application, granting Emefiele bail with the condition of providing two sureties for the same amount.
The former governor of the CBN is on trial facing 26 charges related to accusations of office misuse.
EFCC had earlier arraigned Emefiele and Henry Omole, his co-defendant, on Monday before Justice Rahmon Oshodi.
Both defendants entered a not-guilty plea to the twenty-six charges levied against them.
The trial was initially adjourned till April 11, but due to an extension of the public holiday, Emefiele was brought before the court on Friday, April 12.
Comparison Between Bobrisky’s Crime and That Of Emefiele
The court’s judgment of sentencing Bobrisky to six months in prison without any option of a fine while granting Emefiele ₦50 million bail despite his twenty-six-charge count is quite shocking.
This latest development has made one wonder if Bobrisky committed another grievous offense aside from naira mutilation, unlike Emefiele who was accused of different offenses that ranged from forgery, embezzlement, and fraud, to abuse of office among others.
Although naira mutilation is an offense punishable under the Nigerian constitution, social media expert, Omojuwa said that the transgender should be able to appeal the judgment because he was just a first-timer, adding that appeal would not only work when there was some vested interest in the matter.
Before Bobrisky’s arrest, the Nigeria Police Force explained that Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, and other crossdressers could not be arrested because Nigeria’s constitution did not prohibit crossdressing. Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the police spokesperson, said crossdressers can only be arrested when they are caught in an illegal act
Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the police spokesperson, said crossdressers can only be arrested when they are caught in an illegal act.
He clarified this while speaking on Channels Television’s “Politics Today” on Tuesday, April 2.
Emefiele on the other hand, is facing trial in Lagos on a 26-count charge bordering on abuse of office.
The former CBN boss had earlier pleaded not guilty to a 26-count charge bordering on abuse of office brought against him by the Economic Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
The Lagos State Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja on Monday remanded the former governor of the CBN in the custody of the EFCC, following his arraignment.
Justice Rahman Oshodi made the remand order after Emefiele and his co-defendants, Herry Omoile, pleaded not guilty to a 26-count charge bordering on abuse of office brought against them by the EFCC.
Emefiele had remained behind bars until today when the Judge granted his bail application.
The judge remanded Omoile in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Services.
Before the court’s ruling, Emefiele’s lawyer Abdulakeem Ladi-Lawal had urged the court to admit his client to bail self-recognition or, on the most liberal terms.
The lawyer particularly urged the court to impose the same bail conditions earlier granted to the defendant by Justice Hamzat Muazu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja and that he be released to his lawyers pending the perfection of the bail terms.
The EFCC lawyer, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, did not oppose the bail application but urged the judge to impose conditions that would compel the defendants to court for their trial.
The defendants were accused of accepting gratification, accepting gifts through agents, corruption, and fraudulent property receipts.
He was also accused of conferring a corrupt advantage on his associates contrary to the Corrupt Practices Act of 2000 in the charge filed on April 3rd by the EFCC Prosecutor, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN).
