Controversial figure and cross-dresser, Idris Olanrewaju Okuneye, famously known as Bobrisky, has lodged an appeal with the Lagos Division of the Court of Appeal, challenging the six-month imprisonment sentence handed to him by Justice Abimbola Awogboro of the Federal High Court.

Bobrisky is advocating for the appellate court to overturn the ruling and instead impose a fine of N50,000 for each of the counts against him. The sentence was a result of his guilty plea to a four-count charge of abuse of the Naira brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

In his Notice of Appeal, Bobrisky argued that the lower court’s decision to impose the maximum sentence without considering his lack of prior criminal convictions amounted to a miscarriage of justice. His lawyer, Bimbo Kasanu, asserted that the sentence imposed was punitive and contrary to the mandatory provisions of the law.

Kasanu emphasized that Bobrisky cooperated with the EFCC during the investigation, attending their invitation without delay, and pleaded guilty to the charges, thus demonstrating positive antecedents.

He further criticized the trial court for not exercising discretion judiciously and argued that the punishment did not align with the purpose of the Central Bank Act 2007, which aims to prevent Nigerians from tampering with the Naira.

“The Sentence imposed by the trial Court against the Appellant is punitive contrary to the mandatory provisions of the Law (ADCJA) on sentencing,” Kasanu stated.

He urged the Appellate court to reconsider the case and replace the imprisonment sentence with a fine of N50,000 per count, citing the appellant’s cooperation and lack of criminal record as grounds for leniency.