Bobrisky appeals sentence offers to pay ₦50k fine for each charge
Bobrisky’s legal representative has petitioned the court to substitute the crossdresser’s judgment with a fine of ₦50,000 for each offense.
Idris Okuneye, also known as Bobrisky, a contentious personality, submitted an appeal on Monday contesting the six-month prison term handed down by a Federal High Court in Lagos.
This challenge ensued after Okuneye faced allegations from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on four counts related to the improper handling of the naira and admitted guilt before Justice A.O. Awogboro of the Federal High Court in Lagos.
On April 12, Justice Awogboro sentenced Okuneye to six months imprisonment with no option of a fine, stressing that the verdict aimed to deter others from mishandling and defacing the currency.
However, Okuneye’s lawyer, Bimbo Kusanu, filed a notice of appeal, urging the Court of Appeal to revoke the maximum sentence.
Kusanu urges the court to substitute the sentence with the choice of a ₦50,000 fine for each charge.
In the appeal notice, the attorney contends that the trial court imposed the most severe penalty on Bobrisky, who lacked any previous criminal records.
Kusanu highlights that under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), there are provisions for a lesser sentence.
He contends that the sentence against Okuneye by the trial court was overly punitive and contrary to the mandatory provisions of the ACJA.
The appellant’s counsel asserts that the trial court overlooked Okuneye’s positive background and swift cooperation during legal proceedings, such as promptly pleading guilty to the charge and responding promptly to the EFCC‘s summons.
Kusanu argues that the trial court did not exercise its judicial discretion appropriately while sentencing Okuneye, resulting in a miscarriage of justice against the appellant.
