JUST IN: Bobrisky convicted, to be sentenced April 9

The Federal High Court in Lagos has fixed April 9, 2024, to sentence cross-dresser Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, for naira abuse.

Justice Abimbola Awogboro reserved ruling on Bobrisky’s ruling after the social media celebrity pleaded guilty to a four-count charge brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The judge ordered that the convict be remanded in EFCC custody pending sentence.

The court called the case at exactly 11:55am with Mr. Sulaiman Sulaiman appearing for the EFCC while Mr. Ayo Olumofin appeared for the defendant.

Justice Awogboro directed Bobrisky to unveil his face which was covered with a black hijab. He complied.

The charge, marked FHC/L/244c/2024, originally contained originally contained four counts of naira abuse and two counts of alleged money laundering.

But before it was read to the defendant, Sulaiman prayed the court to strike out counts five and six concerning alleged money laundering and arraign Bobrisky on counts one to four.

“We have an agreement with the defendant which will lead us to withdraw counts 5 and 6. In the circumstance, we’re humbly urging the court to strike out counts 5 and 6. Leaving count 1 to 4 alive,” Sulaiman said.

Granting his prayer, Justice Awogboro then struck out the two counts and ordered that the now four-count charge be read to the defendant.

Bobrisky pleaded guilty to each of the four counts.

” Yes, I am guilty,” he said, when the registrar asked if he understood the charge that was read to him.

Sulaiman then proceeded to review the facts of the case and called an EFCC Assistant Superintendent, Mr. Bolaji Temitope, as his witness.

Prompted by the prosecution, the witness explained how he came to know Bobrisky.

Temitope said: “The EFCC received intelligence of individuals who are in the habit of spraying Naira during parties in Lagos. Base on this, the EFCC set out an operation team to monitor and observe the activities of individuals who are the habit of doing so.

“We usually visit event centres and monitor social media pages where the Naira is being abused.

“During the exercise we came across videos on social media where the defendant was seen abusing the Naira.

“Our team then proceeded to view the video and burnt same on CD.

“Consequently, an invitation letter was forwarded to the defendant. When he honoured the invitation. The defendant was shown a video where he was spraying money on Segun Johnson. He confirmed that he was the one in the video.

“An event at the Island circle mall was also shown to the defendant. A total of 400k was spent. The defendant was also shown another video in Aja Junction, Ikorodu and an event centre at Ikeja. He admitted spraying money in all the videos. He then offered his statement in writing.

“A video clip was shown to the witness, which confirmed together with the defendant’s statement.”

The statement and videos were tendered without objection.

The court admitted them as exhibits and marked them Exhibits 1 and 2 respectively.

“That is the case of the prosecution and we pray the defendant be convicted as charged, my lord,” the prosecutor told the judge.

In a bench ruling, Justice Awogboro held: “The defendant is convicted as charged”.

But Bobrisky pleaded for mercy, saying he was unaware spraying of money at parties was a crime.

He said: “I am a social influencer and have more than five million followers. I’m not aware of the law.

“I wished I can be given a second chance to use my platform to educate my followers about spraying of Naira. I’ll not repeat this. I regret my actions my lord. I’m a first-time offender.”

His lawyer added that he had turned a new leaf and prayed the judge to grant Bobrisky a non-custodial sentence and an option of a fine.