The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested a woman, identified as Janty Emmanuel, for allegedly abusing the Nigerian currency by spraying N1000 notes at a social event in Gombe State.
Emmanuel was apprehended on Monday, May 20, 2024, following intelligence reports that identified her actions at the event. This was confirmed in a statement released on Tuesday by the EFCC’s Head of Media & Publicity, Dele Oyewale.
The statement read, “Upon arrest, the suspect was shown the video where she was dancing at G-Connect, Tumfure, Gombe State, and spraying Naira notes of N1,000 denomination. She admitted committing the crime. She will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.”
The EFCC has intensified its crackdown on the abuse of the naira in recent months. In April 2024, the Federal High Court in Lagos sentenced controversial crossdresser Idris Olarewaju Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, to six months imprisonment for abusing the naira. Bobrisky had pleaded ignorance of the law, but the judge emphasized that ignorance was not an excuse.
Bobrisky, who has over five million social media followers, promised to use his platform to educate the public about the laws against spraying money. Despite his pleas, Justice Abimbola Awogboro sentenced him, noting that the punishment would serve as a deterrent to others.
In another case, popular celebrity barman Pascal Okechukwu, also known as Cubana Chief Priest, faced similar charges but reached an agreement with the EFCC to settle the matter out of court. He was accused of spraying and tampering with naira notes during a social event at Eko Hotel in Lagos. Cubana Chief Priest pleaded not guilty and was granted bail in the sum of N10 million.
These actions by the EFCC underscore the agency’s commitment to enforcing the law against the abuse and mutilation of the national currency, aiming to maintain its integrity and value.
