By Omowumi Omotosho
Nigerian controversial crossdresser, Idris Okuneye, widely known as Bobrisky, will be released from the Kirikiri Correctional Centre on August 5, 2024, following a six-month sentence for naira abuse. The cross-dresser was incarcerated for spraying naira notes at social events, which is against Nigerian law.
A reliable prison source confirmed the upcoming release to newsmen, and Bobrisky’s lawyer, Ayo Olumofin, corroborated the information on Tuesday.
“Bobrisky will be released on Monday, August 5,” the anonymous prison source revealed.
Olumofin, who represented Bobrisky in court, added, “Yes, it’s about that time for him to be released. There is nothing specific that would be done during his release. I might not go. I’m engaged outside Lagos. Maybe other lawyers will go.
“As I told you, I am not his original lawyer. I just did allocution for him.”
Bobrisky was sentenced on April 12, 2024, by Justice Abimbola Awogboro, who has since been elevated to the Court of Appeal. Although Bobrisky filed an appeal, it is unlikely to be heard before his release date.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned Bobrisky on April 5, 2024, on four counts of naira abuse. EFCC prosecutor Suleiman Suleiman stated that Bobrisky tampered with N400,000 on March 24, 2024, at IMAX Circle Mall, Jakande Lekki, by spraying it at a social event.
The prosecutor also highlighted incidents between July and August 2023 and in December 2023, where Bobrisky sprayed N50,000 and N20,000, respectively, at social events in Ajah Junction, Ikorodu, and White Steve Event Hall, Ikeja.
These actions contravened Section 21 (1) of the Central Bank Act 2007. When asked if he understood the charges, Bobrisky responded, “Yes, I’m guilty.”
EFCC operative Bolaji Temitope provided evidence of Bobrisky’s actions during a case review, including videos of him spraying naira notes at various events.
Justice Awogboro, upon hearing the case details, declared, “Upon the admittance of guilt by the defendant and the review of facts you are hereby found guilty as charged.”
During his allocution, Bobrisky, who refers to himself as the “Mummy of Lagos,” expressed regret, saying, “I am a social media influencer with over five million followers. My Lord, in all honesty, I was not aware of the naira law.”
After being informed that ignorance of the law is no excuse, Bobrisky pleaded for leniency, promising to educate his followers about the illegality of spraying money.
