The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has secured the conviction of 10 individuals for mutilating and abusing the naira in Delta State and Edo State.
The anti-graft agency disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday by its spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, who identified the convicts as Lucky Onoberhie, Happy Joseph Isioma, Friday Ehiedu, Collins Ndudi Albert, Okorie Builder, Ernest Achieme, Isicheli Desmond Chijioke, Nwosu Davison, Enadegh Agbonmware and Lucky Osaro.
According to the EFCC, the offenders were prosecuted for tampering with the naira by spraying the currency while dancing at social events, an act that contravenes Section 21(3) of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007.
One of the charges against Ernest Achieme read: “That you Ernest Achieme (m) on or about the 31st December, 2025 at Kwale within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, whilst dancing at a wedding ceremony tampered with the sum of N50,000.00 (Fifty Thousand Naira) in N200 (Two Hundred Naira) denomination issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria by spraying same and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 21(3) of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007 and punishable under Section 21 (3) of the same Act.”
The EFCC said all the defendants pleaded guilty to the charges brought against them.
It added that F. A. Olubanjo of the Federal High Court in Delta convicted and sentenced Onoberhie, Isioma, Ehiedu, Ndudi, Builder, Achieme, Chijioke and Davison to 12 months’ imprisonment each, with an option of a N100,000 fine.
The commission further stated that C. A. Obiozor of the Federal High Court in Benin, Edo State, sentenced Agbonmware to six months’ imprisonment, with an option of a N100,000 fine, for spraying the naira.
Osaro was also convicted and sentenced to six months’ imprisonment or given the option of paying a N100,000 fine for committing a similar offence.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
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