Controversial transvestite, Idris Okuneye, commonly known as Bobrisky, will be released from the Kirikiri Correctional Centre on 5th August 2024, after serving six months in prison for disrespecting the naira by sprinkling it at events.
This information was shared with our reporter by a reliable prison source and confirmed by Bobrisky’s solicitor, Ayo Olumofin, on Tuesday.
“The release of Bobrisky is scheduled for Monday, 5th August,”
The prison source, who chose to remain anonymous as he is not authorized to speak publicly, informed our reporter.
Affirming the news, Olumofin, who represented Bobrisky in court, stated;
“Yes, it’s time for his release. There are no specific plans for his release. I may not attend as I have prior commitments outside Lagos. Perhaps other solicitors will be present.”
“As I told you, I am not is original lawyer. I just did allocution, for him.”
Bobrisky was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment on 12th April 2024, without an option of a fine by Justice Abimbola Awogboro, who has now been elevated to the Court of Appeal.
Though Bobrisky filed an appeal to challenge his conviction, it is unlikely the appeal would be heard before the expiration of his six-month jail term on 5th August.
According to an impeccable source at the correctional centre, Bobrisky is due for release from prison on Monday, 5th August 2024.
Bobrisky was arraigned on 5th April 2024, on four counts of naira abuse preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
The EFCC prosecution counsel, Suleiman Suleiman, told the court that Bobrisky committed the offence on 24th March 2024, at IMAX Circle Mall, Jakande Lekki.
He said Bobrisky, while dancing at a social event, tampered with the sum of N400,000 issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria by spraying the same.
Suleiman also told the court that between July and August 2023, at Ajah Junction, Ikorodu, while dancing at a social event, Bobrisky tampered with the sum of N50,000 by spraying the same.
The EFCC also said sometime in December 2023, Bobrisky, whilst dancing at the White Steve event hall, Ikeja, tampered with £20 by spraying the same.
According to the prosecutor, the offences committed contravened Section 21 (1) of the Central Bank Act 2007.
When the charges were read to Bobrisky, and asked if he understood the charges, he said, “Yes, I’m guilty.”
The EFCC subsequently applied to review the case by adducing evidence to back the counts.
An EFCC operative, Bolaji Temitope, whilst reviewing the facts of the case, told the court that: “Based on a special operation to monitor who is in the habit of spraying money at a party, the team visited many event centres and monitored social media pages where naira was being abused.
“During the course of the monitoring, the commission came across a video on social media where the defendant was seen spraying naira notes on Segun Johnson, at a movie premiere.
“The defendant also admitted that he was the one in the other videos spraying of naira at Aja Junction, Ikorodu and the other places.”
After listening to the facts of the case, Justice Awogboro said;
“Upon the admittance of guilt by the defendant and the review of facts you are hereby found guilty as charged.”
In his allocution, Bobrisky, who fondly calls himself “Mummy of Lagos,” said;
“I am a social media influencer with over five million followers. My Lord, in all honestly, I was not aware of the naira law.”
When the judge told him that ignorance of the law was not an excuse, Bobrisky said;
“I know, My Lord. I wish that you could give me a second chance to use my platform to inform and educate my followers about spraying money.
“I would do a video on my page and I will educate people about spraying money. I will not repeat this, My Lord. I regret my actions, My Lord.”
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