EFCC Secures Convictions: Ten Jailed for Naira Abuse in Delta, Edo

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission's (EFCC) Benin Zonal Directorate has successfully prosecuted ten individuals who were found guilty of naira mutilation and abuse across Delta and Edo states. This development was announced by the anti-graft body via a statement released on its official communication channels on Monday.

The EFCC confirmed that these convictions were obtained from legal proceedings held before Justice F. A. Olubanjo at the Federal High Court in Asaba, Delta State, and Justice (Prof.) C. A. Obiozor at the Federal High Court in Benin City. The individuals who faced conviction include 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 commission detailed that their arrests stemmed from instances where they were observed spraying the Nigerian currency during social gatherings, an action explicitly prohibited under Section 21(3) of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007. A specific charge against Achieme stated: “That you Ernest Achieme (m) on or about the 31st December, 2025 at Kwale… whilst dancing at a wedding ceremony tampered with the sum of N50,000.00… in N200 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.”

The EFCC reported that each of the accused individuals admitted guilt to the charges presented against them. Subsequently, the prosecution counsel, K. W. Chukwuma-Eneh, requested the court to proceed with their conviction and appropriate sentencing. Following this, Justice Olubanjo found Onoberhie, Isioma, Ehiedu, Ndudi, Builder, Achieme, Chijioke, and Davison guilty, imposing a sentence of “12 months imprisonment or a fine of N100,000” on each.

In a parallel ruling, Justice Obiozor convicted Agbonmware, sentencing him to “six months imprisonment or a fine of N100,000 for spraying the naira.” Lucky Osaro also received “six months imprisonment or a fine of N100,000 for a similar offence.”

The anti-graft body also revealed that all convicted individuals formally pledged in writing to maintain good conduct henceforth. It was further noted that the defendants had been apprehended and brought to justice for their involvement in naira abuse, which contravenes existing laws prohibiting such actions.

These recent convictions underscore the EFCC's continuous efforts to curb naira abuse. The commission has consistently cautioned Nigerians that acts like spraying, mutilating, or otherwise disrespecting the national currency at public gatherings constitute a criminal offense, liable to punishment under the provisions of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act.