By Ken Afor
A lawyer and human rights activist, Deji Adeyanju, has criticized the six-month jail sentence handed down to controversial crossdresser, Bobrisky, whose real name is Idris Olanrewaju Okuneye, for mutilating the Nigerian currency, the Naira.
Justice Abimbola Awogboro of the Federal High Court in Lagos on Friday sentenced Bobrisky to a six-month prison without an option of fine.
In her judgment, Justice Awogboro stated that the sentence should serve as a deterrent to others who might consider engaging in similar acts of disrespecting and mutilating the national currency.
Meanwhile, Adeyanju in a press release through his law firm, Deji Adeyanju and Partners on Friday, stated that while naira mutilation is a punishable offense, the harsh sentence without the option of a fine raises questions, especially considering Bobrisky’s status as a first-time offender and his promise to use his platform to educate the public against such acts.
Adeyanju emphasized that the act of spraying naira notes, commonly referred to as naira mutilation, has been a cultural practice in Nigeria for a long time. He argued that relevant agencies should prioritize extensive public sensitization before prosecuting offenders.
“In handing down sentences, we urge our courts to be mindful of the cultural undertone surrounding offences. The act of spraying naira (otherwise called naira mutilation), though an offence criminalised by law, has been part of our cultural practice from time immemorial. The relevant agencies, therefore, have to carry out large-scale sensitisation on the issue, before seeking to prosecute offenders,” he noted.
The activist also pointed out that several other individuals engaged in the same act during the event where Bobrisky was alleged to have mutilated the naira. Adeyanju questioned why Bobrisky was singled out, raising concerns that the prosecution might be targeting the defendant for reasons beyond the stated offense.
While affirming his commitment to the rule of law and the protection of human rights, Adeyanju urged security agencies to adopt a community service approach for victimless crimes like naira mutilation. He emphasized the need for a balanced approach that considers cultural undertones and seeks to educate rather than solely punish offenders.
“We also note that even at the said event where Mr Olarenwaju was alleged to have mutilated the naira, there were several other persons engaging in the same act. The question is, why single out Mr Olarenwaju? In prosecuting offences like this, security agencies must be careful not to give the impression that the defendant is being targeted for alleged offences other than those stated on the face of the charge.
“In conclusion, we urge our security agencies to adopt a community service approach for victimless crimes like naira mutilation, while we reaffirm our commitment to the rule of law and the protection of human rights at all times,” he added.
The case has sparked debates surrounding the appropriate punishment for naira mutilation, with some arguing that the sentence is too harsh, while others believe it will serve as a deterrent against defacing the national currency.
TheNewDiplomat reports that the court convicted Bobrisky on April 5, after pleading guilty to charges levelled against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for abusing the Naira currency.
