A Nigerian local court has sentenced a popular transgender woman to six months in prison after being found guilty of throwing money in the air at a social event.
ABUJA, Nigeria — A popular Nigerian transgender woman was sentenced Friday to six months in prison by a local court after being found guilty of throwing money into the air, known as spraying. Although common, especially at parties, spraying is illegal in Nigeria.
The rare conviction was criticized by many in the deeply conservative West African country, where members of the LGBTQ+ community are often targeted under laws banning same-sex relationships.
Okunne Idris Olanrewaju, better known as Bobrisky, has been accused of “tampering” with naira notes by spraying them at a social event.
She had pleaded guilty following her initial arraignment by Nigeria's anti-corruption authorities in the economic hub of Lagos. Bobrisky's sentence is the maximum allowed by law for this crime, with no option for a fine. She is allowed to appeal this decision.
“Selective enforcement of the law is a problem in Nigeria,” said human rights lawyer Festus Ogun, who questioned why Bobrisky was “selected” by the anti-corruption agency.
Bobrisky told the court he was unaware of the law. “I am a social media influencer with 5 million followers…I wish I could be given a second chance to use my platform to educate my followers against the abuse of Naira.” she told the judge.
1 dollar is worth approximately 1,197 Nigerian Naira. Throwing naira banknotes into the air is considered an abuse of currency and an insult in this African country, as the banknotes can end up on the ground and trampled under people's feet.
Chief Justice Abimbola Awogboro said the Bobrisky decision would help deter others from abusing the currency.
“There are enough people damaging and defacing our currency. It has to stop,” the judge added.
