Naira abuse: Bobrisky challenges 6-month sentence in fresh appeal

Embattled Nigerian cross-dresser, Idris “Bobrisky” Okuneye, has filed a notice of appeal challenging the six months maximum sentence given to him by a Federal High Court in Lagos State.

CorrectNG recalls that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, ha charged Okuneye on four counts bordering on naira abuse.

He pleaded guilty and was consequently sentenced to six months in jail by Justice A.O. Awogboro without an option of fine.

However, Bobrisky’s counsel, Bimbo Kusanu, filed a notice of appeal, and prayed the Court of Appeal on Monday, April 22 to set aside the maximum sentence.

Kusanu is asking the court to replace the jail term with an option of N50,000 fine on each of the counts. He stated in the notice of appeal that the trial court imposed the maximum sentence on the appellant, who had no previous criminal record of conviction.

He stated that there were options to impose a lesser sentence by the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, ACJA.

The counsel said the trial court did not consider the positive antecedent of the appellant, who did not waste the time of the court by pleading guilty to the charge.

Kusanu further reminde the court that his client honoured the invitation of the respondent on the first invitation.

He said that the trial court failed to exercise its discretion judiciously and judicially in sentencing the appellant. While praying the court to reverse the ruling against his client, the counsel said such an act had occasioned a miscarriage of justice against the appellant.