Naira abuse: Guilt-racked social media influencers in Oyo fined N100,000

After pleading guilty to naira abuse offences, two social media influencers in Ibadan, Oyo State capital – Bukola Rufai and Abdulateef Jimoh – have been convicted but without custodial sentences.

The duo was fined N50,000 each.

Justice Uche Agomoh of the Federal High CourtI handed down the judgment, marking another victory for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in its crackdown on the practice.

The convicts were prosecuted on a joint one-count charge that bordered on currency mutilation by the Ibadan Zonal Directorate of the anti-graft agency.

The charge reads: “That you Bukola Rufai and Abdulateef 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.”

Following their guilty pleas, Mr. Lanre Suleiman, the prosecution counsel, outlined the case facts, presented damning evidence, and urged the court to convict and sentence them.

Meanwhile, Mr. O.D. Ajadi, the defence counsel, pleaded for leniency for the defendants, noting that they are first offenders who had shown remorse.

Persecondnews recalls that the convicts’ arrest and prosecution stemmed from a video they posted on TikTok, spraying and trampling on Naira notes.

This case is not an isolated incident, as others have previously been apprehended by the EFCC for offences bordering on naira mutilation.

Persecondnews recalls that on April 17, 2024, EFCC Lagos Zonal Command arraigned Pascal Okechukwu, also known as Cubana Chief Priest, , before Justice Kehinde Ogundare at the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos.

He faced three counts related to Naira abuse and was subsequently fined N10 million.

In a similar case, the EFCC arrested Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, on April 4, 2024.

Following his arraignment, Justice Abimbola Awogboro convicted Bobrisky and sentenced him to six months’ imprisonment without an option of fine on April 12, 2024.