01/07/2024
Understanding Naira Abuse: A Review of Currency Abuse Among Celebrities
People happy new month oooooo 😁
I say make I samma una with one beta gist.
Who dey mess with Naira anyhow? Make we yarn.
"Abuse" fit mean many things, but for here, we go talk how e mean to use or treat something wey go spoil am.
Naira na di official money for Naija, na Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) dey print am. E get different types of notes from ₦5 to ₦1000, with ₦1000 be di biggest. E also get coins from 50 kobo to ₦2. Kobo na di small pickin of Naira, 100 kobo go make 1 Naira.
So, for easy talk, Naira abuse mean say you dey use or treat Naira anyhow wey go damage am.
Naira Abuse Na Offense?
No forget say according to Section 36(12) for di Constitution of di Federal Republic of Nigeria (CFRN) 1999, as altered, any offense wey dem no write for law book and no get penalty no fit carry person go jail. So, Naira abuse na real offense as e dey for Section 21 (1), (2), (3), (4), and (5) of di Central Bank of Nigeria Act 2007.
Sections of di Law:
- Section 21 (1): If you tamper with coin or note wey di Bank release, na offense. Dem fit jail you for at least six months or fine you at least ₦50,000, or both.
- Section 21 (2): Coin or note don damage if e don spoil, dirty, or damaged by actions like stamping, engraving, mutilating, piercing, writing, tearing, soiling, squeezing, or any other kind of bad treatment.
- Section 21 (3): If you dey spray, dance on top, or step on Naira for party or anywhere, na abuse and defacing of di money, dem fit punish you under subsection (1).
- Section 21 (4): If you dey hawk, sell, or trade Naira notes or coins, na offense, punishable under subsection (1).
- Section 21 (5):
- "Matching" mean say you dey spread, scatter, or litter place with Naira notes or coins and step on dem.
- "Spraying" mean say you dey decorate or adorn people or things with Naira notes or coins, no matter di amount or intention.
Dis sections show clearly di different ways of Naira abuse and dia punishments.
Controversial Naira Abuse Cases Wey Involve Celebrities
FRN vs. Oluwadarasimi Omoseyin
On 1st February 2023, actress Oluwadarasimi Omoseyin, wey people sabi as Simi Gold, dem arrest am by ICPC because of one viral video wey show her dey spray new Naira notes for wedding for Lekki, Lagos State, on 28 January 2023, during money palava time. Dem later hand her over to EFCC on 2nd February make dem continue investigation.
Dem first arraign Ms. Omoseyin on 13 February 2023 by EFCC on two counts say she violate di Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Act 2007 on how she handle Naira notes. She first talk “not guilty” and dem grant her bail on 15 February 2023. But for di next hearing, she change her plea to “guilty” after she see di evidence against her. Her lawyer beg for leniency, say she be first-time offender, mother of one, she dey sorry, and dem beg for non-custodial sentence.
For judgment on Thursday, 1st February 2024, trial judge Chukwujekwu Aneke of di Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, sentence Ms. Omoseyin to six months imprisonment, with option of ₦300,000 fine to pay into di consolidated revenue account of di federation.
FRN vs. Idris Okuneye Olanrewaju (Bobrisky)
Idris Okuneye Olanrewaju, wey people sabi as Bobrisky, no need introduction. EFCC invite am come dia Lagos Zonal Command office on Wednesday, April 4, 2024, because of Naira notes abuse. After dem question am, dem charge am with four counts of Naira abuse and two counts of suspected money laundering.
On April 5, court convict am on four counts of Naira abuse, while di two counts for money laundering dem cancel am.
- Count One: Bobrisky tamper with ₦400,000 by spraying di notes while dancing for party for IMAX Circle Mall, Lekki, Lagos, on 24 March. Dis offense dey punishable under Section 21(1) of di Central Bank Act 2007.
- Count Two: Between July and August 2023 for Aja Junction, Ikorodu, Bobrisky tamper with ₦50,000 by spraying di notes for party.
- Count Three: For December 2023 for White Steve Event Hall, Ikeja, Bobrisky spray and tamper with ₦20,000 while dancing.
- Count Four: Bobrisky spray and tamper with ₦20,000 while dancing for another party for Oniru, Victoria Island.
Bobrisky talk say e no sabi di law, but Justice Awogboro remind am say ignorance of di law no be excuse. Bobrisky beg for mercy and promise to use him platform educate him followers. Him lawyer add say Bobrisky go lead di crusade against Naira abuse, say him be employer and if dem jail am, him employees go suffer.
Based on wetin Bobrisky talk, Justice Abimbola Awogboro convict and sentence am to six months imprisonment, without option of fine, from di day dem remand am.
FRN vs. Pascal Okechukwu (Cubana Chief Priest)
Another controversial case of alleged Naira abuse by celebrity, though dem never prove am, na Pascal Okechukwu, wey people sabi as Cubana Chief Priest. EFCC arraign am on three counts of Naira abuse:
- Count One: On February 13, 2024, for Eko Hotel, Cubana Chief Priest dey accused of tampering with ₦500 notes by spraying dem for two hours during party.
- Count Two: For 2020, for Lagos, dem accuse am say he tamper with ₦500 notes by spraying dem for two hours during party.
- Count Three: For January 2024, for Lagos, dem accuse am say he tamper with ₦500 notes by spraying dem during party.
All dis offenses dey punishable under Section 21(1) of di Central Bank of Nigeria Act 2007.
On 17 April 2024, during arraignment, he plead not guilty to all charges. With di evidence no too strong, dem grant am ₦10 million bail and adjourn di case to later date.
Dis matter don cause serious debate on whether na EFCC or Police suppose dey prosecute Naira abuse offenders on behalf of CBN, some scholars dey reference di Supreme Court judgment for di landmark case of Nwobike v FRN (2022) 6 NWLR (Pt. 1826) pg. 293 and Section 46 of di EFCC Act 2004, wey state di functions of EFCC.
Conclusion
Sabi wetin be Naira abuse na serious matter. E good make we avoid am to prevent legal wahala. Future cases fit clear whether na EFCC or Police suppose dey handle Naira abuse prosecution.
You enjoy di gist? Abeg no go mess with Naira o! Di law no dey play.
Credit - Aliu Mohammed Mubarak
