The National Correctional Service of Nigeria has assured the public of the protection of popular transgender and crossdresser, Idris Okuneye, best known as Bob Risky from sexual predators while serving a six-month jail term in the male facility of the prison after the Lagos Court found him guilty of mutilation of the Naira.
The spokesperson of the correctional service assured Bob Risky not be in fear of any sexual attacks from his fellow male inmates since concerns have been raised on his sexuality and the gender facility assigned to him despite confirming he is a male in court.
“Since he admitted to being a male in court, then we have to abide by what was submitted in court. He shouldn’t be afraid of sexual assault from other male inmates because our men can give him protection” He said.
Background
In a Lagos Federal High Court ruling by Justice Abimbola Awogboro on Friday, April 12, 2024, Idris Okuneye, best known as Bob Risky was sentenced to a six-month jail term after he pleaded guilty to charges of mutilation of the Naira notes.
He was arraigned before the court on April 5, 2024, on a four-count charge bordering on mutilation of the Naira notes to the tune of N490,000,00 (Four Hundred and Ninety Thousand Naira )
Bobrisky pleaded guilty to the offense of mutilation of the naira notes which is punishable under section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act, 2007. However, he pleaded for mercy promising to educate his followers on the offense since he was oblivious to it
“I am a social media influencer, with five million followers; and in all honesty, I was not aware of the law. I wish I can be given a second chance to use my platform to educate my followers against the abuse of the Naira,” he said.
Subsequently, his lawyer pleaded for a fine as against a custodial sentencing promising his client would lead the crusade against abusing the Naira.
“He will lead the crusade against the abuse of Naira. He is also an employer of people; and if he goes to jail, the people he employs will suffer. He has cooperated with the EFCC and has not wasted the time of the court. We urge the court to caution the defendant and allow him to go. He has given evidence that he will be useful to the country. We urge you to grant a non-custodial sentencing option” He said.
However, the judge denied a fine and sentenced him to six months in jail after hearing both parties.
“upon the admission of guilt by the defendant, the testimony of PW1, and following the evidence tendered, the defendant is declared guilty as charged.”Justice Awogboro ruled.
How it started
investigating officer of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), ASE I Bolaji Temitope Aje, said the (EFCC) received intelligence on persons spraying naira at parties in Lagos hence they set up Special Operations Team “to observe and monitor activities of individuals, who are involved in the habit of mutilating the Naira.”
They monitored social media pages and event centers where the Naira was being abused. During the course of the monitoring, the team came across videos on social media, where the defendant (Bob Risky) was seen abusing the Naira. The team then proceeded to download these videos via their office laptop computers and also went further to copy those videos on compact discs.
He was served a letter of invitation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which he honored, and was given the opportunity to write his statement.
“The defendant was shown a video, where he was spraying money on an artiste called Segun Johnson. The defendant confessed that he was the one in the video. He was also shown a video at IMAX Circle Mall, where he sprayed a total sum of N400,000 at a movie premiere. The defendant also admitted that he was the one in the video and that he carried out the abuse”.
“The defendant was also shown two other videos of him spraying the Naira at Aja junction, Ikorodu, and White Stone Event Centre, Ikeja, Lagos.
“The defendant admitted to spraying money in these videos. He was, therefore, served with a bail condition.” He said
Justice Awogboro declared that “ The act of mutilating the Naira notes has become a menace, which has continued to damage the image of the country…..Enough of people mutilating and tampering with our currencies. It has to stop. His will serve as a deterrent to others.”
He was remanded and brought before the court where he was sentenced to a six-month jail term.
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