Naira abuse: Bobrisky appeals his six-month jail term

Controversial cross-dresser Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, has filed a notice of appeal, challenging the six-month maximum sentence given to him by the Federal High Court in Lagos.

Persecondnews recalls that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) charged Okuneye with four counts related to naira abuse. He pleaded guilty before Justice A.O. Awogboro of the Federal High Court, Lagos, and received a sentence of six months imprisonment without the option of a fine.

However, counsel for Okuneye, Mr. Bimbo Kusanu, filed a notice of appeal, urging the Court of Appeal to set aside the maximum sentence and replace it with an option of a N50,000 fine on each of the counts.

In the notice of appeal, the counsel stated that the trial court imposed the maximum sentence on the appellant, who had no previous criminal record of conviction.

He stated that there were options to impose a lesser sentence under the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA).

He averred that the trial court’s sentence against the appellant was punitive and in violation of the ACJA’s mandatory provisions.

The appellant asserted that the trial court overlooked his positive antecedent, stating that he did not waste the court’s time by pleading guilty to the charge, and that he had honored the respondent’s initial invitation.

He said the trial court had failed to exercise its discretion judiciously and judicially in sentencing the appellant, which has occasioned a miscarriage of justice against the appellant.