Crossdressing celebrity Bobrisky sentenced to 6 months in prison for currency abuse

Popular Nigerian crossdresser Idris Okuneye, known popularly as Bobrisky, has been sentenced to 6 months in prison by a Lagos court for spraying and mutilating the Nigerian currency, the Naira, on multiple occasions.

Bobrisky, who has over 5 million followers on social media, was arraigned in court last month on 4 counts of tampering with a total of N490,000 Naira notes issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria.

Videos showed him spraying cash on himself and others at various social events between March and August 2023.

At the hearing on Friday, Bobrisky pleaded guilty to all charges. Prosecution witness Aje from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) presented evidence gathered during their investigation.

The videos obtained by the EFCC clearly showed Bobrisky spraying and manipulating currency notes on different occasions. When questioned, Bobrisky admitted the incidents were of his doing.

In his defense, Bobrisky said "I am a social media influencer, with five million followers; and in all honesty, I was not aware of the law. I wish I can be given a second chance to use my platform to educate my followers against the abuse of the Naira."

His lawyer also pleaded for a non-custodial sentence, saying imprisonment would negatively impact Bobrisky's business and the livelihoods of his employees.

However, Justice Abimbola Awogboro upheld that tampering with currency has become a serious issue damaging Nigeria's reputation.

She said "Enough of people mutilating and tampering with our currencies. It has to stop. His will serve as a deterrent to others."

Bobrisky was subsequently sentenced to 6 months in prison without an option of a fine counting from the period of his remand.