Controversial social media personality and cross-dresser, Idris Okuneye, better known as Bobrisky, is set to regain his freedom from Kirikiri Correctional Centre on August 5, 2024. Bobrisky has been serving a six-month prison sentence for abusing the naira by spraying it at various social events.
A reliable source within the prison confirmed Bobrisky’s impending release but requested anonymity. The news was also corroborated by Bobrisky’s lawyer, Ayo Olumofin, who noted, “Bobrisky will be released on Monday, August 5.”
Olumofin, who represented Bobrisky in court, explained, “Yes, it’s about that time for him to be released. There is nothing specific that would be done during his release. I might not go. I’m engaged outside Lagos. Maybe other lawyers will go. As I told you, I am not his original lawyer. I just did allocution for him.”
Bobrisky’s legal troubles began on April 5, 2024, when he was arraigned on four counts of naira abuse by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The prosecution, led by Suleiman Suleiman, detailed that Bobrisky had tampered with naira notes during social events on multiple occasions, including an incident on March 24, 2024, at IMAX Circle Mall, Jakande Lekki, where he sprayed N400,000 while dancing.
Other incidents cited by the EFCC included Bobrisky spraying N50,000 at a social event at Ajah Junction, Ikorodu, between July and August 2023, and another N20,000 at the White Steve event hall in Ikeja in December 2023. These actions were found to be in violation of Section 21 (1) of the Central Bank Act 2007.
Bobrisky admitted his guilt in court, saying, “Yes, I’m guilty.” The EFCC presented evidence, including videos from social media showing Bobrisky spraying naira notes, and an EFCC operative, Bolaji Temitope, testified about the commission’s special operation to monitor naira abuse at parties.
Justice Abimbola Awogboro, who has since been elevated to the Court of Appeal, sentenced Bobrisky on April 12, 2024, to six months imprisonment without the option of a fine. Despite filing an appeal, it is unlikely that Bobrisky’s case will be heard before his release date.
In his allocution, Bobrisky, who refers to himself as “Mummy of Lagos,” expressed regret, stating, “I am a social media influencer with over five million followers. My Lord, in all honesty, I was not aware of the naira law.” He offered to use his platform to educate others about the legal implications of spraying money, but the judge reminded him that ignorance of the law is not an excuse.
