NEWS: BOBRISKY GOES TO JAIL

Idris Olanrewaju Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, has been sentenced to six months imprisonment by a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos.

The controversial cross-dresser and socialite was arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday 24^th March 2024.

EFCC, on Thursday 25^th, filed six counts against Bobrisky bordering on money laundering and abuse of the naira.

Two of the charges bordering on money laundering were later dropped, while he pleaded guilty to naira abuse, but pleaded for mercy as a first-time offender.

On April 5, the court convicted Bobrisky after he pleaded guilty to the four counts of abusing the naira.

The judge consequently adjourned to last Thursday, for sentencing, but the day was declared as public holiday by the Federal government for the Eid-l-fitr celebration.

Idris, who was born a Moslem, hence spent the Eid holidays in incarceration.

On Friday 12^th April, Justice Abimbola Awogboro handed down a six-month sentence to Okuneye, who has been in detention since his arrest.

The four Charges Okuneye were sentenced for were as follows.

On March 24, 2024, he was alleged to have tampered with the sum of N400,000 by spraying the same while dancing at a social event at the IMAX Circle Mall, Lekki, Lagos.

Between July and August 2023 at Aja Junction, Ikorodu he tampered with another sum of N50,000 by spraying same at a social event while dancing.

In December 2023 at White Steve Event Hall, Ikeja, Bobrisky also sprayed and tampered with another sum of N20,000 while dancing.

Spraying and tampering with another sum of N20,000 while dancing at another event in Oniru, Victoria Island.

According to the court, Bobrisky’s conduct was an offence contrary to and punishable under section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act, 2007.

While handing down the sentence, Justice Awogboro said the judgment will serve as a deterrent to others that are fond of abusing and mutilating the Nigerian currency.

The judge ruled that the jail-term will commence from March 24, 2024, the day of his arrest.

Meanwhile, prior to the sentence, the judge asked Bobrisky of his sex, and he quickly replied that he is a man.

Bobrisky is famous on the internet for identifying as a transgender woman.

The socialite gained traction for his bold and flamboyant style, makeup tutorials, and controversial statements on various social issues.

Bobrisky openly embraced his identity and has been vocal about his experiences navigating gender identity in Nigeria.

Okuneye Idris Olanrewaju (born 31 August 1991), popularly known as Bobrisky, is a Nigerian transgender and LGBTQ personality.

LGBTQ is acronym for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer.

He is also known for his presence on the social media apps Snapchat, TikTok and Instagram.  He has gone viral on TikTok for creating the "bobrisky dance" in 2021.

Bobrisky attended King’s High School, Lagos and Okota High School, Lagos for her secondary school education, and studied and graduated with a BSc Accounting from the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Nigeria.

He became recognized as being highly controversial on social media for not adhering to conservative Nigerian standards. Bobrisky has a huge following on social media. He was able to garner traffic to her Snapchat account when she claimed she had a lover who is assumed to be of masculine gender despite the law in Nigeria stating that same sex relationships is an offence punishable by up to 14 years imprisonment.

As Idris Okuneye goes to prison for the next six monthsI hope the imprisonment of Bobrisky send a message to others and the EFCC will apply the same law to everybody, equally.