Dozens of reactions have trailed the sentencing of Idris Okuneye, a male crossdresser popularly referred to as Bobrisky, to six months in jail without the option of a fine.
While sentencing Okuneye on Friday, Justice Abimbola stated that his conviction would serve as a deterrent to other Nigerians fond of abusing and mutilating the naira.
“The act of mutilating the naira notes has become a menace, which has continued to damage the image of the country. Enough of people mutilating and tampering with our currencies. It has to stop. His will serve as a deterrent to others,” the justice said.
Nigerians on X have argued that the sentencing was selective, as many Nigerian politicians and celebrities have been caught on tape abusing the naira without prosecution.
Dele Farotimi, a lawyer and public speaker, said, “Bobrisky sprayed naira notes at a party and the diligent EFCC and an upright judge sent him to prison for 6 months, in a country ruined by peerless venal crooks and career criminals.”
Elochukwu Ohahi, another X user, wrote, “When will the EFCC jail the politicians caught on camera abusing Naira? Only fools will think this is about Naira abuse.”
FIJ has found videos of Nigerian politicians, monarchs and popular celebrities doing what Bobrisky did with the naira.
Folashade Tinubu, daughter of President Bola Tinubu, was once caught ‘spraying’ naira notes on the Akogun of Egba. This video was published on December 11, 2019, and has remained in the public domain for nearly five years.
In the six-minute-long video, Folashade maintains a straight face as she throws wads of naira notes in the air. These notes fall to the ground and the women in the scene dance and step on them.
As of press time, Folashade has neither been arrested nor charged for this offence, which is believed to contravene Section 21 (3) of the CBN Act, 2007.
This act criminalises spraying, dancing on or stepping on notes issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
A 21-minute footage of Ibrahim Abuna, a Borno State lawmaker, throwing N200 notes at people in his residence in 2022 is trending on the internet, and he has not been convicted.
Nigerian lawmaker throwing naira notes into the air
In August 2023, after becoming Minister of Arts and Culture, Hannatu Musawa went on to celebrate with fanfare and music. She was caught on camera spraying a musician.
The CBN issued a statement saying it was ready to confront Musawa for her actions, but she never had her day in court.
On February 17, FIJ also reported how Oba Aremo Sowemimo, the Olu of Owode Egba in Ogun State, was only suspended for two months without pay after using the naira as a garland during his 13th anniversary as monarch.
Also, a video of Lagos State’s latest ambassador, Pelumi Nubi, a Nigerian woman who drove on a solo trip from London to Lagos and was recently awarded a house and car, is being shared on social media.
A video of Nubi spraying and stepping on the naira note
Obi Cubana, a popular businessman, was also caught on camera chesting and kicking wads of naira notes in July 2021 during the burial ceremony of his mother.
This video remains on social media as of press time, and neither he nor the others in the video have made appearances in court for the offence.
On social media, Ayo Balogun, a Nigerian singer popularly known as Wizkid, has been caught on camera on several occasions throwing money to his fans.
Celebrity pastor Chukwuemeka Ohanaemere, popularly known as Odumeje, has also entertained naira rain on his church alter on several occasions.
In Nigeria, it is not uncommon for partygoers to ‘spray’ money on praise singers or celebrants. Segun Johnson, a popular praise singer whom Okuneye is jailed for ‘spraying’, has posted several videos on his social media page showing celebrities ‘spraying’ money on him in violation of the same CBN act.
FIJ understands that none of these people have been invited by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) or arraigned in any court in Nigeria.