Nigerian controversial cross-dresser, Okuneye Idris Olanrewaju, predominantly known as Bobrisky has initiated an appeal process against the recent six-month imprisonment verdict handed down by the Federal High Court in Lagos.

This conviction of the controversial social media personality, stems from charges related to the alleged abuse of the Nigerian currency, the naira.

Represented by his legal counsel, Bimbo Kusanu, Bobrisky has formally filed an appeal with the Court of Appeal. In this appeal, Bobrisky seeks to have the six-month imprisonment replaced with a monetary penalty of N50,000 for each of the four counts he was found guilty of.

The initial ruling was issued by Justice Abimbola Awogboro on April 12, 2024, wherein Bobrisky was sentenced to six months’ incarceration without the possibility of paying a fine.

This judgment was based on allegations that Bobrisky had engaged in actions leading to the defacement of the naira, specifically by spraying the currency at a social gathering.

Bobrisky’s plea of guilt to the four counts of naira abuse, lodged against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, preceded the sentencing.

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Now, with the appeal process underway, Bobrisky aims to contest the severity of the punishment imposed by the Federal High Court, advocating for a more lenient resolution in the form of monetary penalties instead of imprisonment.

During the sentencing of the cross-dresser, the judge emphasized that the verdict aimed to discourage others from engaging in the abuse and defacement of the naira.

However, in the Notice of Appeal submitted to the Appeal Court, the cross-dresser highlighted certain mitigating factors. The appellant urged the appellate court to take into account his lack of prior criminal convictions.

He argued that the punishment imposed by the trial court was excessively punitive, deviating from the mandatory guidelines outlined in the Administration of Criminal Justice Law regarding sentencing.

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Furthermore, he asserted that the trial court failed to consider his positive track record, particularly his cooperation during the investigation and his plea of guilt, which saved the court valuable time and resources.

Additionally, he emphasized his compliance with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) summons during the initial stages of the investigation leading to the charges.