In Nigeria, there is an ongoing sensitization that the abuse of the national currency, the Naira, is considered a criminal offense, punishable under the law.
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Act and the Criminal Code Act provide clear provisions against the abuse and misuse of the Naira.
The provision states it is illegal to hawk, sell, trade-in, deface, mutilate, tear, or destroy currency notes and coins issued by the CBN.
Offenders can face penalties, of a minimum of six months imprisonment, fines and more, depending on the severity of the offense. The law was introduced in 2007 but few Nigerians knew of its existence— until now.
The legal implication of physically damaging the Naira, became more pronounced with the prosecution of a couple of celebrities by the country’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. Let’s take a look at celebrities who have been embroiled in a Naira abuse case with the anti-graft agency.
Comedian and actor Ayo Makun, popularly known as AY, is the latest to be embroiled in an alleged Naira abuse issue with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) who invited him over for questioning.
In a statement shared on his Instagram page on Wednesday, May 7, AY disclosed that he was invited by the EFCC on Monday, May 5. The interrogation was linked to his involvement in the public spraying of both local and foreign currencies at a recent social event—an act that contravenes the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) regulations against currency mutilation. AY wrote:
“On Monday, I was invited by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) regarding an incident involving the public spraying of both local and foreign currencies, an act that has been classified as an offence related to the abuse of the Naira.”
“I want to sincerely thank the EFCC and all authorities involved for their understanding and for granting me pardon based on confirmation that the money being sprayed is not linked to the proceeds of crime or any form of illicit funds.”
Similary, the EFCC interrogated popular Nigerian actress Iyabo Ojo over alleged currency abuse at her daughter’s wedding.
Recall the actress’ daughter, Priscilla Ojo, got married to Tanzanian singer Jux in Nigeria on April 17, 2025, after their Islamic wedding in Tanzania in February.
The wedding, which was the most talked-about ceremony on the internet, was attended by both Nigerian and foreign celebrities.
Guests were captured at the lavish wedding, spraying dollar bills and Naira notes.
Addressing the viral speculations about her encounter with the EFCC after the ceremony, Iyabo Ojo explained that she was interrogated after honoring the agency’s invitation. Ojo, in a post on her Instagram page, said:
”I was asked questions relating to my personal biodata, career, work experience, and my companies, amongst others.”
“I was asked if I knew this was illegal, and I explained that I only thought abuse or mutilation of naira was an offense.”
“The EFCC clarified that spraying money on people’s bodies is prohibited. I was surprised to learn that spraying any currency, including dollars, is also not allowed.”
Popular musician Terry Alexander Ejeh a.k.a Terry Apala was not so lucky, as in his own case, was arrested and remanded to prison on April 25, 2025, for stepping on and damaging Naira notes at a party in Lagos.
The EFCC charged him in court, but he pleaded “not guilty”. Justice Akintayo Aluko, of the Federal High Court, Lagos in his ruling ordered the remand of the Defendant at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre, pending the hearing and determination of his bail application.
The trial Judge, while ordering accelerated hearing of the trial, adjourned the matter till May 5, 2025, for trial.
Meanwhile, the EFCC arrested socialite Emeka Okonkwo aka E-Money at the Omole area of Lagos State on Tuesay, April 29, 2025 and was taken into custody in Abuja.
The arrest came after E-Money was spotted at a public event allegedly spraying Naira notes and some US dollar bills.
The Chief Executive Officer of Emmy Cargoes Nigeria Limited and Five Star Music was said to have violated Nigeria’s Foreign Exchange (Monitoring and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act.
Upon questioning and his subsequent release, in a May 1 Instagram post, E-Money emphasized the anti-graft’s directive against money being thrown or sprayed during celebrations, noting that such acts constitute currency abuse.
In the case of controversial cross-dresser, Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, he was on Friday, April 12, 2024, convicted and sentenced to six months imprisonment without the option of a fine.
Bobrisky was arrested by EFCC at Pinnock Estate in Lagos over Naira mutilation following a video report of him spraying and flaunting wads of new Naira notes at the premiere of a movie, Ajakaju, produced by Eniola Ajao, a Nollywood actress and producer, at Film One Circle Mall, Lekki, Lagos on March 24, 2024.
Justice Abimbola Awogboro of the Federal High Court in Lagos sentenced Bobrisky to six months in jail without the option of a fine.
Awogboro, in his ruling, said Bobrisky’s sentence would serve a deterrent for others.
Socialite and businessman Pascal Okechukwu aka Cubana Chief Priest was on April 17, 2024, apprehended for allegedly throwing money into the air at social events, a practice known as “spraying”.
On April 19, 2024, he was arraigned at the Federal High Court, Lagos, before Justice Kehinde Ogundare, but pleaded “not guilty” to three counts of Naira abuse filed against him by the anti-graft agency and was granted bail in the sum of N10m.
Cubana Chief Priest and the anti-graft agency later opted for out of court settlement.
Nigerian actress Oluwadarasimi Omoseyin also known as Simi Gold, was on Thursday, February 1, 2024 convicted and sentenced to six months imprisonment for spraying and stepping on the new Naira notes at a social event in Lagos.
She was first arrested in February 2023 and initially pleaded not guilty, but later changed her plea to guilty due to strong evidence. The judge granted her the option to pay a ₦300,000 fine instead of going to jail.
Bonus:
Another top personality arrested for Naira abuse by the EFCC was Kelly Okungbowa a.k.a Ebo Stone. He was arrested on March 17, 2025.
Okungbowa, who until recently was the coordinator of the Edo State Public Safety Response Team (PSRT), now suspended by the State Government, was arrested owing to a viral video where he was seen spraying and mutilating the Naira at a bar on March 9, 2025.
Similarly in March 2025, TikTok influencer, Murja Ibrahim Kunya, was nabbed by the anti-graft agency in Kano for allegedly abusing and mutilating the Naira.
Specifically, Kunya was arrested for allegedly spraying Naira notes for fun during her stay in a hotel room at Tahir Guest Palace in Kano. The arrest followed her diligent pursuit by EFCC operatives after she jumped an administrative bail granted her by the Commission over one month ago.
She was initially arrested in January 2025 but was granted bail pending her arraignment before the Federal High Court in Kano. However, when it was time for her court appearance, Kunya absconded, evading the legal processes. She was rearrested on March 16, 2025.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC arrested social media content creator, Muhammed Kabir Sa’ad, for allegedly abusing Naira notes.
EFCC confirmed this in a statement on Monday, May 5.
The Commission said Sa’ad made a video of himself on his TikTok and Instagram account, @youngcee0066, where he was seen throwing Naira notes on the floor and deliberately stepping on them and daring EFCC officers in Hausa Language to arrest in him if they can.
The EFCC said Sa’ad was picked up in Tudun Wada area of Kaduna State, and has been conveyed to the Kaduna Zonal Directorate of the Commission for interrogation.
Leave a comment