ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — A popular Nigerian transgender woman was sentenced to six months on Friday after a local court convicted her of throwing money into the air, a practice known as spraying. Though common, especially at parties, spraying is illegal in Nigeria. The rare conviction was criticized by many in the West African nation, a deeply conservative country where members of the LGBTQ+ community are often targeted under a law banning same-sex relations. Okuneye Idris Olanrewaju, better known as Bobrisky, was accused of “tampering” with naira banknotes by spraying them at a social event. She had pleaded guilty when first arraigned by Nigeria’s anti-graft agency in the economic hub of Lagos. Bobrisky’s sentence — without the option of a fine — is the maximum permitted by law for the offence. She is allowed to appeal the ruling. “Selective enforcement of the law is a problem in Nigeria,” said human rights lawyer Festus Ogun, who raised the question why Bobrisky was “singled out” by the anti-graft agency. |
Carlos Carrasco pitches solid into the 6th inning, Guardians edge Red Sox 5Brazil's president creates two new Indigenous territories, bringing total in his term to 10Nebraska lawmakers end session, leaving taxes for laterEven with John Schneider still in charge a new era arrives for Seahawks entering 2024 NFL draftJenna Bush Hager reveals her eightAlabama court authorizes executing a man convicted of killing a delivery driverNevada Supreme Court rulings hand setbacks to gunJudge denies request for Bob BaffertEmily Brown and Susanna Tapani each score as Boston returns from 24Trump loses bid to halt Jan. 6 lawsuits while he fights criminal charges in the 2020 election case