Investigators of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Gombe State Zonal Command, have arrested a woman identified as Janty Emmanuel for allegedly abusing the Nigerian currency in the state.
Emmanuel was arrested on Monday, May 20, 2024, following intelligence that spotted her spraying Naira notes at a social event.
This was disclosed in a statement issued Tuesday by the commission’s Head, Media & Publicity, Dele Oyewale.
The statement partly 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.”
For some months now, the anti-graft agency has continued to clamp down on Nigerians who are found guilty of abusing the naira.
In April 2024, the Federal High Court in Lagos State, sentenced controversial crossdresser, Idris Olarewaju Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, to six months imprisonment without the option of a fine for abusing the naira.
Justice Abimbola Awogboro, while sentencing the convict, said the judgment would be a deterrent to others who are found abusing and mutilating the naira.
Before the sentence, Bobrisky had begged the court that he was not aware of the law of abusing the naira.
He said that he is a social media influencer with over five million followers.
The judge then told him that ignorance of the law was not an excuse.
He said, “I know, My Lord. My Lord, I wish that you could give me a second chance to use my platform to inform and educate my followers about spraying money.
“I would do a video on my page and I would educate people about spraying money.
“I will not repeat it, My Lord. I regret my actions, My Lord.”
However, popular celebrity barman, Pascal Okechukwu, popularly known as Cubana Chief Priest, had reached an agreement with the EFCC to resolve the naira abuse charge outside of court.
Cubana Chief Priest appeared before Justice Kehinde Ogundare, facing three counts related to abusing the national currency at a social gathering.
He allegedly sprayed and tampered with the naira notes during a social event at the Eko Hotel in Lagos.
He pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against him and was granted bail in the sum of N10 million.
