One of Nigeria’s best-known celebrities, a transgender woman known as Bobrisky, has been arrested on charges of abusing banknotes.
Bobrisky: Nigerian celebrity arrested for abuse of naira
11 hours ago
By Mansur Abubakar,
BBC News, Kano
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Bobrisky, seen here in 2016, has more than five million followers on Instagram
One of Nigeria’s best-known celebrities, a transgender woman known as Bobrisky, has been arrested on charges of abusing banknotes.
Bobrisky, whose real name is Idris Okuneye, allegedly abused and mutilated banknotes during a film premiere in Lagos, the authorities told the BBC.
They say she “sprayed” banknotes, meaning she threw them in the air in a sign of appreciation.
“Spraying” is commonly done at Nigerian weddings and celebrations.
This is technically an offence as the notes then fall to the ground where they can be trodden on. The maximum punishment is six months in jail however prosecutions are rare.
Bobrisky allegedly sprayed money at the premiere of Ajakaju, a keenly awaited film by actress and producer Eniola Ajao, at Film One Circle Mall, in the upmarket Lagos district of Lekki last month.
Videos of the event were widely shared on social media and this may have put pressure on the authorities to take action.
The celebrity, who has more than five million followers on Instagram, has not yet commented.
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) spokesman Dele Oyewale told the BBC that Bobrisky would be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded, without giving a timeframe.
In February, actress Oluwadarasimi Omoseyin was sentenced to six months in prison for spraying and stepping on new naira notes.
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