The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured the conviction of 10 people for abusing the naira by spraying the currency at social events in Delta State and Edo State.
The anti-graft agency announced the convictions in a statement released on Monday, saying the offenders were found guilty by the Federal High Courts in Asaba and Benin City after pleading guilty to charges brought against them.
According to the EFCC, the convicted persons were arrested for spraying naira notes while dancing at parties, an act prohibited under Section 21(3) of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007. The commission said the convictions are part of its continued efforts to enforce laws protecting Nigeria’s currency.
The convicts are Lucky Onoberhie, Happy Joseph Isioma, Friday Ehiedu, Collins Ndudi Albert, Okorie Builder, Ernest Achieme, Isicheli Desmond Chijioke, Nwosu Davison, Enadegh Agbonmware and Lucky Osaro.
The EFCC said they were prosecuted before Justice F. A. Olubanjo of the Federal High Court, Asaba, and Justice (Prof.) C. A. Obiozor of the Federal High Court, Benin City.
One of the charges against Achieme stated that he tampered with N50,000 in N200 denominations by spraying the money while dancing at a wedding ceremony in Kwale on December 31, 2025, an offence punishable under the Central Bank of Nigeria Act.
The EFCC described the convictions as part of its sustained efforts to protect the integrity of the naira and discourage practices that undermine the country’s legal tender.
The commission also warned Nigerians to refrain from spraying, stamping on, or otherwise abusing the naira during weddings, funerals, birthdays and other ceremonies, stressing that such acts constitute criminal offences.
Reaffirming its commitment to enforcing financial laws, the EFCC said it would continue to monitor social events across the country and prosecute anyone found violating regulations governing the handling of the national currency.
The EFCC said all 10 convicts also signed written undertakings promising to maintain good conduct and refrain from abusing the naira in the future.
