Nigerian celebrity Bobrisky, renowned as a transgender woman and social media influencer, has pleaded guilty to four counts of naira abuse. The charges stemmed from incidents where Bobrisky, whose legal name is Idris Okuneye, allegedly engaged in the act of “spraying” banknotes at various social gatherings, a practice common in Nigerian festivities.
Bobrisky made her appearance at the Federal High Court in Lagos on Friday, donning a black ensemble with a scarf obscuring her face and head. Alongside the counts of naira abuse, she faced allegations of money laundering, although the court ultimately dismissed these charges.
The act of “spraying” entails throwing banknotes into the air as a gesture of appreciation, often seen at weddings and celebratory events across Nigeria. However, this practice is deemed unlawful as it results in the notes falling to the ground, where they risk being damaged or trodden upon. Despite its prevalence, prosecutions for this offense are infrequent, with a maximum penalty of six months’ imprisonment.
Bobrisky’s legal troubles escalated following her conspicuous display of “spraying” nairas at the premiere of the highly anticipated film “Ajakaju,” produced by actress Eniola Ajao, at the Film One Circle Mall last month. Videos capturing the incident quickly circulated on social media platforms, drawing widespread attention and condemnation.
Notably, Bobrisky faced similar accusations of engaging in the practice at other events throughout the past year. In defense, her lawyer, Ayo Olumofin, emphasized her status as a first-time offender, advocating for leniency in sentencing. “We have confidence in the court, and justice will be done,” Olumofin remarked.
Following her plea, Bobrisky has been remanded into the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), pending further legal proceedings. This development comes on the heels of a recent case where actress Oluwadarasimi Omoseyin received a six-month prison sentence for her involvement in similar naira abuse incidents.
