Challenging the six-month maximum sentence handed down by a Federal High Court in Lagos State, the controversial cross-dresser known as Bobrisky, officially named Idris Okuneye, filed a notice of appeal on Monday.
Okuneye faced charges from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) relating to naira abuse, to which he pleaded guilty before Justice A.O. Awogboro at the Federal High Court in Lagos.
The sentencing on April 12 by Justice Awogboro saw Okuneye receiving six months of imprisonment with no option for a fine. The judge emphasized that the ruling should serve as a warning to those who engage in the abuse and defacement of the naira.
However, Okuneye’s counsel, Mr. Bimbo Kusanu, lodged a notice of appeal requesting the Court of Appeal to overturn the maximum sentence and instead substitute it with a N50,000 fine for each of the counts.
In the notice of appeal, Kusanu argued that the trial court had imposed the harshest sentence on Okuneye, despite his lack of any prior criminal convictions. He pointed out that alternative sentencing options were available under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA).
Kusanu contended that the sentence imposed by the trial court was punitive and not in line with the mandatory provisions of the ACJA. He highlighted that the positive track record of the appellant, who promptly admitted guilt, was not taken into consideration.
Emphasizing Okuneye’s cooperation with the authorities and the swift response to their requests, Kusanu criticized the trial court for what he perceived as a failure to exercise discretion judiciously in sentencing. He argued that this oversight had led to a miscarriage of justice against the appellant.