Breaking: Nigerian socialite Bobrisky sentenced to jail for naira abuse

The Federal High Court in Lagos has handed down a six-month jail sentence without the option of a fine to Idris Okuneye, better known as Bobrisky, a popular cross-dresser and social media figure.

The sentence was imposed due to his involvement in the mutilation of naira notes, according to the court ruling delivered on Friday morning.

Bobrisky’s arrest last Wednesday by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Lagos caused a stir across the country.

This development was confirmed by Mr. Dele Oyewale, the spokesperson for the EFCC, during a conversation with SaharaReporters. Oyewale clarified that the arrest was made on the grounds of alleged economic misconduct, specifically the misuse of Nigerian currency, rather than Bobrisky’s lifestyle choices as a cross-dresser.

“It is true our boys arrested him yesterday evening in Lagos for naira abuse. We don’t have anything to do with his lifestyle (being a cross-dresser). He was suspected of committing an economic crime and that was the reason for his arrest,” Oyewale explained.

This incident followed closely on the heels of a statement by the Nigeria Police Force just a day prior, in which they admitted they lacked sufficient evidence to apprehend Bobrisky for alleged same-sex activities.

The controversy surrounding Bobrisky escalated when social media influencer and blogger Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, publicly criticized the decision to award Bobrisky the title of Best Dressed Female at a recent Nollywood event. This criticism further fueled calls for the cross-dresser’s arrest.

The sentencing of Bobrisky has ignited intense debate and drawn widespread attention, both nationally and internationally, highlighting complex issues of identity, societal norms, and legal boundaries.

The court’s decision underscores the importance of adherence to financial regulations and the consequences of flouting legal statutes, even for public figures.