Popular cross-dresser Idris Okuneye, famously known as Bobrisky, has taken legal action against the six-month maximum sentence handed down to him by a Federal High Court in Lagos State.
Okuneye faced charges from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) related to naira abuse and pleaded guilty before Justice A.O. Awogboro of the Federal High Court, Lagos.
On April 12, Justice Awogboro sentenced Okuneye to six months in prison without the option of a fine, emphasizing the need to deter others from similar acts of abusing and mutilating the naira.
However, Okuneye’s counsel, Mr. Bimbo Kusanu, swiftly filed a notice of appeal, urging the Court of Appeal to overturn the maximum sentence. Kusanu seeks to replace the sentence with a N50,000 fine on each count, arguing that the trial court overlooked Okuneye’s lack of prior criminal convictions.
In the notice of appeal, Kusanu pointed out provisions within the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) that allow for the imposition of lesser sentences. He highlighted Okuneye’s prompt admission of guilt and cooperation with the authorities, asserting that the trial court failed to consider these mitigating factors.
According to Kusanu, the trial court’s decision to impose the maximum sentence was punitive and contrary to the mandatory provisions of the ACJA. He argued that the court’s failure to exercise discretion judiciously resulted in a miscarriage of justice against Okuneye.