Bobrisky: Lawyer faults six-month jail as prison officials promise protection in male section

Bobrisky: Lawyer faults six-month jail as prison officials promise protection in male section 

 

A lawyer and rights activist, Deji Adeyanju, has faulted the six-month imprisonment handed down by court to controversial crossdresser, Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, for abuse of naira.

The Nigerian Correctional Service has also said the crossdresser would be kept in the male section of the prison during his six-month incarceration.

Adeyanju urged the courts to be mindful of the “cultural undertone” surrounding the spraying of naira notes at Nigerian social events.

He said community service sentence would have been adequate for Bobrisky’s offence.

The Federal High Court in Lagos on Friday sentenced Bobrisky to six-month imprisonment without the option of a fine for abusing the naira.

Justice Abimbola Awogboro, in sentencing the convict, said the judgment would be a deterrent to others who are fond of abusing the naira.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission arraigned Bobrisky on April 5 and the court convicted him after pleading guilty to the charge of abusing the naira.

But in a statement on Friday, Adeyanju said, “We note with concern, the six-month sentence handed down to Mr Okuneye Idris Olarewaju (AKA Bobrisky), without an option of fine, for naira mutilation offence, as reported by various national news platforms.

“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 (otherwise called naira mutilation), though an offence criminalised by law, has been part of our cultural practice from time immemorial.

“The relevant agencies, therefore, have to carry out large-scale sensitisation 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.”

Meanwhile, the decision to keep Bobrisky in the male section of prison was made based on the crossdresser’s assertion of his male gender status during his court appearance.

A spokesperson for the correctional service stated, “Since he admitted to being a male in court, then we have to abide by what was submitted in court.”

“Furthermore, measures will be taken to ensure Bobrisky’s safety from potential sexual assault by other inmates.”

The correctional service assured that adequate protection would be provided, stating, “He shouldn’t be afraid of sexual assault from other male inmates because our men can give him protection.”