Famous crossdresser Idris Olanrewaju Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, has filed an appeal against his recent sentence for abusing and mutilating the Nigerian currency.
In his Notice of Appeal, submitted by his lawyer, Bimbo Kusanu, Bobrisky appealed to the court to overturn the six-month maximum imprisonment sentence handed to him.
Instead, he requests that the court impose a fine of N50,000 (Fifty Thousand Naira) for each count against him.
The sentence was issued by Justice Abimbola Awogboro of the Federal High Court in Lagos, who sentenced Bobrisky to six months imprisonment without the option of a fine for the abuse of Nigerian currency.
The judge emphasized that the judgment aimed to serve as a deterrent to others who engage in similar acts of currency abuse and mutilation.
Bobrisky, who had pleaded guilty to a four-count charge of naira abuse filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), argued in his appeal that the trial court imposed the maximum sentence despite his lack of previous criminal convictions.
He reiterated provisions under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ADCJA) that allow for lesser sentences in such cases.
Furthermore, Bobrisky noted that the trial court did not consider his positive antecedents, including his cooperation with the EFCC during the investigation.
According to him, he promptly responded to the EFCC’s invitation and did not waste the court’s resources by pleading guilty to the charges.
In light of these arguments, Bobrisky urged the court to set aside the six-month imprisonment sentence and impose a fine of N50,000 for each count against him.