The clamp down on naira mutilators has triggered discussions about the laws which protect the Nigerian currency.
Days after controversial cross-dresser, Idris Olanrewaju Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, was sentenced to six months imprisonment without any option of fine for abusing the naira, some Nigerian lawyers argued that the cross-dresser would not have been convicted if it was the case of a foreign currency like the dollar.
Shehu Sani, a former Senator from Kaduna central, reacted saying: “Lawyers are wonderful; I just heard one saying Nigerian law can only affect spraying Naira and not spraying foreign Bank notes.”
This has triggered mixed reactions among netizens who pondered over it.
Meanwhile, a circular from the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, dated February 2024, had warned that people who abuse the naira will be prosecuted.
Justice Abimbola Awogboro of the Federal High Court, Lagos, said Bobrisky’s sentence will serve as a deterrent to others who are fond of abusing and mutilating the naira.
Recall that the Central Bank of Nigeria via a circular had vowed to arrest those who flagrantly abuse the notes at social functions across the country.
The apex bank said it will partner with security agencies to ensure that erring members of the public who abuse the new notes are arrested and duly punished in accordance with extant laws.
The CBN’s intervention came after multiple video clips of people “spraying” the notes at social functions surfaced on social media platforms.
In a statement signed by its spokesperson, Osita Nwanisobi, the apex bank described as “worrisome” reported cases of unregistered persons and non-bank officials swapping banknotes for members of the public, purportedly on behalf of the CBN.
“We wish to state unequivocally that, contrary to the practice of these unpatriotic persons, it is unlawful to sell the Naira, hurl (spray), or stamp on the currency under any circumstance whatsoever,” it said.
Fast forward to today, Bobrisky becomes a culprit.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arrested Bobrisky for mutilation of Naira currency a few weeks ago.
Confirming the arrest, the spokesperson for the EFCC, Dele Oyewale, said Bobrisky was arrested at Pinnock Estate in Lagos State on Wednesday, April 3, 2024, at about 3pm, for spraying of the Naira, currency mutilation and abuse of the Naira.
On Friday last week, Bobrisky was served a six-month jail term without an option of fine. CONTINUE READING