Justice Uche Agomoh of the Federal High Court, sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State has convicted two social media influencers, Bukola Arike Rufai and Abdulateef Ayinde Jimoh, for the abuse of the Naira.

The conviction, which follows a nationwide crackdown on the defacement and mishandling of banknotes, sends a strong message that such acts, particularly those widely publicized on social media, will not be tolerated.

The individuals, popular for their online content, were found guilty of spraying, dancing on, and trampling the Naira during public events, actions explicitly prohibited under the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Act.

The convicts were prosecuted on a joint one-count charge that bordered on currency mutilation by the Ibadan Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

The charge reads, “That you Bukola Arike Rufai and Abdulateef Ayinde Jimoh on or about the 25th day of September, 2024 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did match on Naira Notes, issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria and thereby committed an offence, contrary to Section 21 (3) of the Central Bank Act 2007 and Punishable under Section 21 (1) of the same Act.”

The Head, Media and Publicity of EFCC, Dele Oyewale in a statement said the suspects pleaded “guilty” when the charge was read to then, following which the prosecution counsel, Lanre Suleiman reviewed the facts of the case, tendered incriminating evidence and prayed the court to convict and sentence them accordingly, while the defence counsel, O.D. Ajadi told the court to temper justice with mercy, stating that the duo are first offenders and have become remorseful of their action.

Justice Agomoh convicted both offenders without a sentence and gave them N50, 000 option of fine each.