Controversial social media personality and cross-dresser, Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, has taken legal action to appeal the six-month maximum sentence imposed on him by a Federal High Court in Lagos. Bobrisky was convicted on charges related to the abuse of the Nigerian currency, the naira.
Recall that Bobrisky was charged by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on four counts bordering on naira abuse. He pleaded guilty before Justice A.O. Awogboro of the Federal High Court, Lagos.
Justice Awogboro, on April 12, sentenced Okuneye to six months imprisonment without an option of fine, emphasizing that the judgment should serve as a deterrent to others engaged in similar acts of abusing and mutilating the naira.
However, Bobrisky’s counsel, Mr. Bimbo Kusanu, has filed a notice of appeal, seeking to challenge the severity of the sentence imposed by the trial court.
“The sentence of the lower court that imposed the maximum penalty of six months imprisonment without option of fine on the appellant, who is a first-time convict without a previous record of criminal conviction, is harsh.
“The learned trial judge erred in law and facts by his imposition of the maximum sentence of six months imprisonment terms against the appellant without the option of fine contrary to the provisions of Section 416(2) (d) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act of 2015 that prescribed the mandatory guidelines on the trial court on imposition of sentencing after criminal conviction of a first time offender as the appellant.
“The sentence imposed by the trial court against the appellant is punitive contrary to the mandatory provisions of the law on sentencing.
Report has it that Kusanu is urging the Court of Appeal to set aside the maximum sentence and replace it with an option of a N50,000 fine on each of the counts.
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