Deji Adeyanju Criticizes Bobrisky’s 6-Month Jail Sentence, Advocates for Community Service in Nigeria

Human rights activist and lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, has expressed his opposition to the six-month jail sentence handed down to Nigerian celebrity, Okuneye Idris Olarewaju, known as Bobrisky, for the offense of Naira mutilation.

In a statement, Adeyanju criticized the decision and suggested that a more appropriate punishment for such victimless crimes would be community service.

Bobrisky was sentenced to six months in prison without the option of a fine by Justice Abimbola Awogboro on Friday.

The controversial celebrity has been in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) since his arrest last week and will now serve his sentence at the Ikoyi Prison in Lagos.

Adeyanju’s statement highlighted the cultural significance of Naira mutilation, also known as “spraying” money, which has been a part of Nigerian culture for a long time.

He argued that the relevant agencies should focus on large-scale sensitization campaigns to educate the public on the illegality of this practice before seeking to prosecute offenders.

Furthermore, Adeyanju questioned the selective prosecution of Bobrisky, noting that there were other individuals engaging in the same act at the event in question.

He urged security agencies to be mindful of the cultural undertones surrounding such offences and to avoid giving the impression that defendants are being targeted for reasons other than the stated charges.

Adeyanju called for a shift in the approach to dealing with victimless crimes like Naira mutilation, advocating for community service as a more suitable punishment.

He emphasized his commitment to upholding the rule of law and protecting human rights in Nigeria.