A Federal High Court in Lagos has convicted controversial cross-dresser and social media celebrity Idris Okuneye, also known as Bobrisky, for naira abuse.
The court has scheduled his sentence for Monday, April 9, 2024.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) brought a four-count charge of Naira abuse against Bobrisky, and the trial judge, Justice Abimbola Awogboro, reserved the date for his judgment.
The judge also ordered that the convict be remanded in EFCC custody pending a sentence.
The EFCC had filed a six-count charge against Bobrisky, according to Persecondnews; the first four counts bordered on abuse of the naira, while the last two counts bordered on alleged money laundering.
However, before the court read the charges to him, Mr. Sulaiman Sulaiman, the EFCC prosecutor, requested that counts five and six be struck out.
He said: “We have an agreement with the defendant that will lead us to withdraw counts 5 and 6. In the circumstances, we are humbly urging the court to strike out counts 5 and 6, leaving counts 1 to 4.”
After granting his request, Justice Awogboro struck out the two counts and ordered the defendant to read the four-count charge.
Bobrisky pleaded guilty to each of the four counts, but pleaded for mercy, saying he was not aware of the law on abusing the Naira.
In response, the judge told him that ignorance of the law was not an excuse.
In defence, the crossdresser said to the judge: “My Lord, I wish that you can give me a second chance to use my platform to inform and educate my followers about spraying money.
“I’m a social media influencer with over five million followers. I would do a video on my page, and I will educate people about spraying money.
“I will not repeat it again, my lord. I regret my actions, my lord. I’m a first-time offender.”
His lawyer, Mr. Ayo Olumofin, urged the judge to grant Bobrisky a non-custodial sentence and an option of a fine.
Awogboro thereafter adjourned sentencing until April 9.
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