FEATURES
10 Jailed, Fined Over Naira Spraying as EFCC Intensifies Crackdown in Edo, Delta
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured the conviction of 10 individuals for mutilating and abusing the naira in separate prosecutions before the Federal High Courts in Delta and Edo states.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Monday by its spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, saying the convicts were found guilty of tampering with the naira by spraying the currency while dancing at social events, contrary to Section 21(3) of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007.
Those convicted 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 defendants pleaded guilty to the charges brought against them.
The commission cited one of the charges against Ernest Achieme, which stated that he tampered with ₦50,000 in ₦200 denominations by spraying the notes while dancing at a wedding ceremony in Kwale, Delta State, on December 31, 2025.
Delivering judgment, the presiding judge of the Federal High Court in Delta, Justice F. A. Olubanjo, convicted and sentenced Onoberhie, Isioma, Ehiedu, Ndudi, Builder, Achieme, Chijioke and Davison to 12 months’ imprisonment each, with an option of a ₦100,000 fine.
In a separate ruling at the Federal High Court in Benin, Edo State, Justice C. A. Obiozor convicted Enadegh Agbonmware and sentenced him to six months’ imprisonment, with an option of a ₦100,000 fine for spraying the naira.
Lucky Osaro was also convicted and sentenced to six months’ imprisonment or a ₦100,000 fine for a similar offence.
The EFCC reiterated its commitment to enforcing laws protecting the integrity of the naira and warned Nigerians against acts of spraying, mutilating or otherwise abusing the nation’s currency, stressing that such practices remain punishable under the law.