Crossdresser Idris Olarenwaju Okuneye a.k.a Bobrisky by now is cool off at the Ikoyi Correctional Center after being jailed six months for abusing the naira on Friday by a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos.
But Human Rights activist and lawyer, Deji Adeyanju and African Action Congress presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Omoleye Sowore have suggested that there was more that meets the eye in the conviction and sentencing of Bobrisky. They both argued in separate platforms that the punishment was excessive being a first time offender, even as he pleaded guilty and promised to make restitutions.
“We note with concern the six-month sentence handed down to Mr Okuneye Idris Olarewaju (A.K.A Bobrisky), without an option of fine, for Naira mutilation offence, as reported by various national news platforms,” said a statement made available to the media by Adeyanju.
“While we do not condone any attempt to break down the law or actual violation of the law, we are, however, constrained to state on record that at a time when private individuals, non-governmental organisations, states, and federal governments are taking steps to decongest our prisons, Mr Olarewaju, a first-time offender, has been sentenced to six months imprisonment, notwithstanding his allocutus and promise to use his platform to sensitise the public against Naira mutilation.
“In handing down sentences, we urge our courts to be mindful of the cultural undertone surrounding offences. The act of spraying Naira, or (otherwise called Naira mutilation), though an offence criminalised by law, is one that has been part of our cultural practice from time immemorial.
“The relevant agencies, therefore, have a duty to carry out large scale sensitization on the issue, before seeking to prosecute offenders. We also note that even at the said event, where Mr Olarenwaju was alleged to have mutilated the Naira, there were several other persons engaging in the same act. The question is, why single out Mr. Olarenwaju? In prosecuting offences like this, security agencies must be careful not to give the impression that the defendant is being targeted for alleged offences other than those stated on the face of the charge.
“In conclusion, we urge our security agencies to adopt a community service approach for victimless crimes like Naira Mutilation, while we reaffirm our commitment to the rule of law and the protection of human rights at all times.”
Writing on his Facebook page Sowore urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to use the same energy it has used to prosecute Bobrisky to go after criminals who have looted and ran the nation aground.
“The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is gleefully announcing that Bobrisky has been jailed for six months without an option of a fine for “mutilating” the Nigerian currency, the Naira.
“The real people destroying the economy are yet to be jailed for the massive economic damage they did to ruin Nigeria.
“The energy put into prosecuting and jailing a crossdresser, Bobrisky, shows his real offence could not have been spraying Naira at a party.
“Let’s see how the EFCC handles cases involving real financial criminals, a long list being prosecuted since 2007-who destroyed the naira in the near future. #RevolutionNow,” Sowore noted.
