Bobrisky, the contentious cross-dresser whose real name is Idris Okuneye, lodged a notice of appeal on Monday contesting the six-month maximum sentence handed down to him by a Federal High Court in Lagos State. Okuneye had been accused by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on four counts related to financial misconduct. He admitted guilt before Justice A.O. Awogboro of the Federal High Court in Lagos.
On April 12, Justice Awogboro sentenced Okuneye to six months in prison without the option of a fine. The judge emphasized that the verdict aimed to deter others from mishandling and defacing the naira.
However, Okuneye's counsel, Mr. Bimbo Kusanu, filed a notice of appeal, urging the Court of Appeal to overturn the maximum sentence. Kusanu requested the court to substitute the sentence with a fine of N50,000 for each count.
In the notice of appeal, Kusanu argued that the trial court imposed the harshest penalty on Okuneye, who lacked any prior criminal convictions. He pointed out that under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), there were provisions for lesser sentences.
Kusanu contended that the trial court's sentence was punitive and contradicted the mandatory provisions of the ACJA. He asserted that the court did not consider Okuneye's positive history, including his guilty plea and prompt response to the authorities' summons.
Furthermore, Kusanu argued that the trial court failed to exercise its discretion judiciously in sentencing Okuneye, leading to a miscarriage of justice against him.
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