What can Bobrisky get at appeal after his 6 months sentence?

Emmanuel Ukudolo I Monday, April 29, 2024

 

LAGOS, Nigeria – Celebrity crossdresser and social media personality, Idris Olanrewaju Okuneye better known as Bobrisky has filed an appeal to challenge the decision of Justice Abimbola Awogboro of the Federal High Court, Lagos to sentence him to six months imprisonment without an option of fine.

Recall that Bobrisky was sentenced to six months imprisonment after entering a guilty plea to a 4-count charge of Naira abuse and mutilation. 

Bobrisky who has spent about two weeks at the Nigerian Correctional Services, NCoS, Ikoyi last week appealed the judgement, setting the stage for another legal fireworks with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC at the Court of Appeal in Lagos.

Recall that Justice Awogboro sentenced Bobrisky based on the 2007 CBN Act, which prescribes six(6) months jail term or a fine of N50, 000 or both.

Bobrisky, through his lawyer,  Bimbo Kusanu is among others praying the judges at the Appeal Court to set aside the six months imprisonment and replace same with the option of N50,000 fine.

According to the lawyer, the six months sentence on Bobrisky is punitive and contravenes provisions in the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, ACJL. Besides, Kusanu is of the view that the good behaviour of Bobrisky, who did not waste the time of the court and offered to assist the commission in the fight against Naira abuse was overlooked by her lordship, Awogboro. 

But can Bobrisky have his way?  Already judgement has been reserved and date will be communicated to the parties.  However, we spoke to some lawyers, among them is Barrister Dayo Abudu who averred that Bobrisky might just be embarking on an exercise in futility.

Barrister Tony Regha agrees with Dayo Abudu that it is just an academic exercise but added that what Bobrisky will be seeking is just a review of the sentence but doubts if his conviction could be quashed at  the Appeal Court since he was not forced to enter a guilty plea.

Some other lawyers, who spoke with our team said it will be difficult for Bobrisky to get bail in this case but that his lawyer made a technical blunder by allowing his client to enter a guilty plea at the court of first instance. 

Abudu averred that lawyers prefer their clients to enter a ‘no guilty plea’ to buy time and to  look for loopholes in the averment of the prosecution.

He added that the Bobrisky could have averred that the alleged Naira notes were just dummies  for show being a celebrity and present such dummy notes before the court and leave the prosecution to avail the court tangible proof of the Naira as evidence. 

Watch their analysis in the VIDEO.