The Federal High Court sitting in Warri, Delta State, has convicted and sentenced 12 individuals for abusing and mutilating the naira, as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) intensifies its enforcement of laws protecting Nigeria’s national currency.
The convictions were secured by the Benin Zonal Directorate of the EFCC before Justice Hyeladzira Nganjiwa, who found the defendants guilty of spraying and tampering with naira notes during social events.
The convicts are Abimbola Dolapo, Ufuoma Okotie, Samuel Kingsley, Rasaki Ayomide, Ekpmamuku Oghenekewvwe, Abraham Eriata, Favour Onowighose, Karaki Emmanuel Ejioghene, Simeon Sabastine, Valentine Chikeze, Omoyibo Destiny Prince and Akenuwa Clinton Osamudiamen.
According to the EFCC, the defendants were arrested and prosecuted for spraying naira notes while dancing at parties, an act prohibited under the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Act, 2007.
One of the charges filed against Akenuwa Clinton Osamudiamen stated that he tampered with N20,000 in N200 denominations during a birthday celebration in January 2025 by spraying the notes while dancing.
The anti-graft agency argued that such actions amounted to abuse and mutilation of the national currency and violated provisions of the CBN Act designed to preserve the integrity and dignity of the naira.
When the charges were read in court, all twelve defendants pleaded guilty.
Following their guilty pleas, EFCC counsel Francis Jirbo urged the court to convict and sentence them accordingly.
Defence counsel, however, pleaded for leniency, telling the court that the defendants had shown remorse and had learnt from their mistakes.
After reviewing the facts of the case and the guilty pleas entered by the defendants, Justice Nganjiwa convicted all twelve individuals.
The court sentenced Abimbola Dolapo, Ufuoma Okotie, Samuel Kingsley, Rasaki Ayomide, Ekpmamuku Oghenekewvwe, Abraham Eriata, Favour Onowighose, Karaki Emmanuel Ejioghene, Simeon Sabastine, Valentine Chikeze and Omoyibo Destiny Prince to six months imprisonment or a fine of N150,000 each.
For Akenuwa Clinton Osamudiamen, the court imposed a sentence of six months imprisonment or a fine of N200,000.
The court also noted that all the convicts signed written undertakings promising to be of good conduct and refrain from similar offences in the future.
The convictions come amid increased enforcement efforts by the EFCC and other regulatory agencies against the abuse of the naira at weddings, birthdays, concerts and other social gatherings.
The anti-corruption agency has repeatedly warned that spraying, mutilating, stepping on, tearing or otherwise abusing naira notes constitutes a criminal offence punishable under Nigerian law.
Officials say the campaign is aimed at preserving the integrity of the national currency and discouraging practices that damage banknotes and increase replacement costs.
In a related development, Justice Nganjiwa also ordered the forfeiture of seven luxury vehicles recovered from convicted internet fraudsters to the Federal Government.
The vehicles were confiscated by the EFCC during investigations into cybercrime and were ruled by the court to be proceeds of unlawful activities.
The forfeited vehicles include: Mercedes-Benz GLK, Lexus RX 330, Mercedes-Benz M, Lexus ES 350, Mercedes-Benz GLK, Mercedes-Benz GLC, Mercedes-Benz GLK.
The EFCC said the forfeiture order reinforces ongoing efforts to deprive criminals of assets acquired through illicit means and serves as a deterrent to others engaged in financial crimes.
Leave a comment