Embattled Nigerian cross-dresser Idris Okuneye, known popularly as Bobrisky, has embarked on a legal action to challenge the recent six-month imprisonment imposed on him by a Federal High Court in Lagos.
The appeal, filed by his lawyer on Monday, April 22, aims to overturn the sentence handed to the famed cross-dresser.
His lawyer, Bimbo Kusanu, petitioned the court to replace each of the four counts of naira abuse with a fine of N50,000.
Kusanu argued that the trial court’s decision to impose the maximum sentence was unjust, especially considering Bobrisky’s lack of prior criminal convictions and his peaceful cooperation with authorities throughout the legal proceedings.
He maintained that the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) spelled out avenues for lesser sentences, which the trial court failed to consider.
Highlighting Bobrisky’s positive antecedents and his plea of guilt, Kusanu asserted that these factors should have been taken into account in determining a more lenient punishment.
He further argued that the trial court’s failure to exercise discretion appropriately had resulted in a miscarriage of justice against his client.
Furthermore, Kusanu deemed the severity of the sentence disproportionate to the nature of the offense, particularly considering Bobrisky’s prompt response to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) invitation.
Meanwhile, Bobrisky was charged by the EFCC on four counts bordering on naira abuse and pleaded guilty before Justice A.O. Awogboro of the Federal High Court, Lagos.
On April 12, Justice Awogboro sentenced Bobrisky to six months of imprisonment without the option of a fine, emphasizing that the judgment should serve as a deterrent to others engaged in similar offenses.
Source: Ghana/MaxTV/MaxFM/max.com.gh/Joyceline Natally Cudjoe
