Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Benin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured the conviction of ten individuals for naira mutilation and abuse, following separate arraignments before Justice F.A. Olubanjo of the Federal High Court in Asaba, Delta State, and Justice (Professor) C.A. Obiozor of the Federal High Court in Benin City, Edo State. The convictions were handed down on Monday, 6 July 2026, and represent the latest in the EFCC's sustained campaign against the abuse of the naira, a practice that has become increasingly common at social events such as weddings, birthdays, and other celebrations.
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. According to the EFCC, the convicts were said to have tampered with the naira by spraying the same while dancing at a party, an offence contrary to Section 21(3) of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007. The charge against Ernest Achieme reads: “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.”
Upon arraignment, the defendants pleaded guilty to their charges when they were read to them, prompting the prosecution counsel, K.W. Chukwuma-Eneh, to pray the court to convict and sentence them accordingly. Justice F.A. Olubanjo convicted and sentenced Lucky Onoberhie, Happy Joseph Isioma, Friday Ehiedu, Collins Ndudi Albert, Okorie Builder, Ernest Achieme, Isicheli Desmond Chijioke, and Nwosu Davison to 12 months imprisonment or a fine of N100,000 each. In a similar development, Justice Obiozor convicted and sentenced Enadegh Agbonmware to six months imprisonment or a fine of N100,000 for spraying the naira, while Lucky Osaro was convicted and sentenced to six months imprisonment or a fine of N100,000 for a similar offence. All the convicts undertook in writing to be of good conduct going forward.
The EFCC has intensified its enforcement of the provisions of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, which prohibits the mutilation, defacing, or spraying of the naira. The commission has repeatedly warned that the practice of spraying naira notes at social events is a criminal offence punishable by law, and that it would continue to prosecute offenders. The convictions in Asaba and Benin City are part of a broader crackdown on naira abuse across the country, with the EFCC securing similar convictions in other states in recent months. The commission has also urged members of the public to desist from such practices and to respect the dignity of the national currency.
The Central Bank of Nigeria Act 2007 provides that the spraying of the naira in any form constitutes an offence, and offenders, if convicted, are liable to a fine or imprisonment or both. The law also prohibits the sale, exchange, or mutilation of the naira, and the EFCC has been working to ensure compliance with these provisions. The commission has also emphasized that the prosecution of naira abusers is not aimed at targeting individuals but at upholding the integrity of the nation's currency and ensuring that it is not treated with disrespect.
The convictions have been welcomed by many Nigerians who see the enforcement of the law as a necessary step to curb the culture of frivolous spending and the disrespect for the currency. However, some have called for more awareness and education about the provisions of the law, noting that many Nigerians are unaware that spraying the naira is a criminal offence. The EFCC has responded by stepping up its public enlightenment campaigns, including through social media and traditional media, to educate the public on the consequences of naira abuse.
As the EFCC continues its enforcement drive, the message is clear: the spraying of the naira at social events is a punishable offence, and those who engage in it will face the full weight of the law. The convictions of the ten individuals in Asaba and Benin City serve as a deterrent to others who may be tempted to engage in the practice, and the commission has vowed to sustain its efforts until the culture of naira abuse is completely eradicated. All the convicts have undertaken in writing to be of good conduct going forward, and their cases have now been concluded.
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