The sentencing of controversial cross-dresser, Idris Olanrewaju Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, to six months imprisonment without any option of fine for abusing the Nigeria currency, naira, has set the country’s online space abuzz with reactions to the cross-dresser’s welfare in prison.
Justice Abimbola Awogboro of the Federal High Court, Lagos, in her sentence, said the judgment will serve as a deterrent to others who are fond of abusing and mutilating the naira.
However, it is worth mentioning that the federal government is responsible for the feeding of prisoners in the country, and will have to deal with Bobrisky’s feeding and welfare for the whole time he spends in jail.
Nevertheless, it is worrisome, according to many Nigerians, that each prisoner in the country is being fed with a budget of N750 daily.
Bobrisky, not being an exception, despite being a celebrity, will undoubtedly fall under this ‘unreasonable’ budget.
The question remains, will N750 be sufficient for Bobrisky’s daily feeding or will he have to deal with it?
Recall that the Nigerian Correctional Service had revealed that each inmate in custodial facilities nationwide is being fed with N750 daily and not N200 as ‘mischievously’ circulated in a section of the media.
A statement by the Service Public Relations Officer, Mr Abubakar Umar in Abuja said the media report was false, misleading, and mischievous in all its ramifications.
The statement read, “For the avoidance of doubt, the public may wish to note that feeding allowance for inmates in Nigeria is in the public domain, and vendors are paid the approved amount (N750) upon completion of supply.
“Contract for ration supply is usually made public, and the conditions clearly stated for interested vendors to apply in line with the Public Procurement Act 2007..”
Meanwhile, a circular from the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, dated February 2024, vowed to arrest those who flagrantly abuse the notes at social functions across the country.
The apex bank said it will partner with security agencies to ensure that erring members of the public who abuse the new notes are arrested and duly punished in accordance with extant laws.
The CBN’s intervention came after multiple video clips of people “spraying” the notes at social functions surfaced on social media platforms.
In a statement signed by its spokesperson, Osita Nwanisobi, the apex bank described as “worrisome” reported cases of unregistered persons and non-bank officials swapping banknotes for members of the public, purportedly on behalf of the CBN.
“We wish to state unequivocally that, contrary to the practice of these unpatriotic persons, it is unlawful to sell the Naira, hurl (spray), or stamp on the currency under any circumstance whatsoever,” it said.
Fast forward to today, Bobrisky becomes a culprit. CONTINUE READING