THE Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State, has convicted two social media influencers, Bukola Rufai and Abdulateef Jimoh, for violating the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Act by abusing naira notes.
Presiding over the case, Justice Uche Agomoh delivered the verdict today following their arraignment by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The duo were found guilty of a one-count charge bordering on currency mutilation, filed by the EFCC’s Ibadan Zonal Directorate.
According to a statement by EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale, the offence took place on September 25, 2024, when the defendants were seen in a TikTok video spraying and trampling on naira notes—actions deemed a violation of Section 21 (3) of the CBN Act, 2007, and punishable under Section 21 (1) of the same law.
Both Rufai and Jimoh pleaded guilty to the charge. The prosecution counsel, Lanre Suleiman, presented evidence and urged the court to convict and sentence them accordingly. However, their defence counsel, O.D. Ajadi, appealed for leniency, citing their status as first-time offenders and their remorse over the incident.
In delivering judgment, Justice Agomoh convicted the influencers but opted for a lenient sentence, imposing a fine of ₦50,000 each rather than a custodial term.
The case has drawn public attention, highlighting the consequences of disrespecting the national currency, particularly on social media platforms.
The EFCC has continued to warn against the abuse and mutilation of the naira, stressing that such acts are criminal and punishable by law.