Bobrisky: Nigerian Cross-dresser convicted for naira abuse, gets punishment on April 9

Popular Nigerian cross-dresser Idris Olanrewaju Okuneye, known as Bobrisky, was convicted on Friday by a Federal High Court in Lagos for the abuse of the naira currency.

Justice Abimbola Awogboro of the Federal High Court found Bobrisky guilty after he pleaded guilty to four counts of naira abuse.

However, Justice Awogboro reserved sentencing till April 9, and ordered Bobrisky remanded in custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) who had arrested him earlier in the week.

Before his conviction, Bobrisky pleaded ignorance of the law prohibiting naira abuse.

“I am not aware of the law on abusing the Naira," he told the court as quoted by Nigerian Channels TV.com.

However, Justice Awogboro made it clear that ignorance was no excuse.

“Ignorance of the law is not an excuse," the judge stated.

Bobrisky then pleaded for leniency and a second chance, the reported added..

“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," he said.

“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,” the controversial cross-dresser added.

He further assured the court he had learned his lesson and “will not repeat it again my lord, I regret my actions my lord,"

By law, Bobrisky faces up to six months in prison, a 50,000 naira fine, or both, for the conviction.

The charges stem from videos of Bobrisky spraying bundles of naira notes during celebrations uploaded on social media, which is a violation of Section 21 (1) of the CBN Act 2007.

A representative of the prosecuting EFCC told the court they were dropping two additional charges of money laundering against Bobrisky.

Justice Awogboro subsequently struck these charges out, paving the way for the sentencing on the naira abuse charges to take place on April 9.