ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — A popular Nigerian transgender woman was jailed Friday for six months after a local court convicted her of throwing local currency into the air, a practice known as spraying, a rare conviction that has been criticized by many in the West African nation where it is common, although illegal, for people to scatter money.
Okuneye Idris Olanrewaju, better known as Bobrisky, was accused of “adulterating” naira notes by scattering them at an event. She pleaded guilty when she was first charged by Nigeria’s anti-corruption agency in the economic hub of Lagos.
Bobrisky’s arrest was criticized by many in Nigeria, a deeply conservative country where openly identifying as a trans person is criminalized.
His six-month sentence – handed down without the possibility of a fine – is the maximum allowed by law for the offence. She is allowed to appeal the sentence.
“Selective enforcement of the law is a problem in Nigeria,” said human rights lawyer Festus Ogun, who asked why Bobrisky was “singled out” by the anti-corruption agency.
Bobrisky said in court he had no knowledge of the law. “I am a social media influencer with five million followers… I would like to have a second opportunity to use my platform to educate my followers against the abuse of the naira,” she told the judge.
The spraying of naira notes ($1 = 1,197 naira) is seen as an abuse of the local currency because people end up trampling on the notes when they fall to the ground.
His sentence would deter others from abusing the currency, Abimbola Awogboro said, the presiding judge said at Friday’s sitting. “Enough of people mutilating and adulterating our currencies. It has to stop,” he added.
