Controversial social media personality Idris Olanrewaju Okuneye, widely known as Bobrisky, has been handed a six-month prison sentence without the option of a fine for the abuse of the Nigerian currency, the naira.

Justice Abimbola Awogboro of the Federal High Court, Lagos, delivered the verdict, emphasizing that the judgment aims to deter others from engaging in similar acts of currency abuse and mutilation.

During the sentencing, the judge questioned Bobrisky about his gender identity, to which he promptly affirmed his status as a man. Consequently, he was ordered to serve his prison term at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre.

The commencement of the jail term was set for March 24, 2024, the date of Bobrisky’s arrest.

The court’s decision followed Bobrisky’s guilty plea to four counts of naira abuse, as charged by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). His conviction was handed down on April 5.

Although the sentencing was initially scheduled for last Thursday, it was postponed due to the declaration of a public holiday by the Federal Government for the Eid-El-Fitri celebration.

The counts against him read: “that you, Okuneye Idris Olanrewaju, on the 24th day of March 2024, at Imax Circle Mall, Jakande, Lekki, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court whilst dancing during a social event tampered with the total sum of N400,000.00 (four hundred thousand naira) notes issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria by spraying same and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act, 2007.

“That you, Okuneye Idris Olanrewaju, between July and August 2023 at Aja Junction, lkorodu, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court whilst dancing during a social event tampered with the sum N50, 000.00 (Fifty Thousand Naira) issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria by spraying same and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act, 2007.

“That you, Okuneye Idris Olanrewaju, sometimes in December 2023 at White Steve Event Hall, Ikeja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court whilst dancing during a social event tampered with the sum N20,000.00 (twenty thousand naira) issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria by spraying same and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act, 2007.

“That you, Okuneye Idris Olanrewaju, sometimes in 2022 at Event Hall, Oniru, Victory Island, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court whilst dancing during a social event tampered with the sum N20,000.00 (twenty thousand naira) issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria by spraying same and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act, 2007.”