Federal High Court in Delta sentences five to prison over Naira abuse.

A Federal High Court sitting in Asaba, Delta State, has jailed five people for spraying naira notes, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has said.

The agency named the convicts as Ekweozor Divine, Udumeluo Godwin Chukwuebuka, Kennedy Uwadia, Godstime Ogie Eghosa and Bright Barry Imade. Justice F. A. Olubanjo sentenced them on Thursday.

Ruling in the case, the judge held that the offence was contrary to Section 21(3) of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act 2007 and punishable under Section 21(1) of the Act.

In a statement issued on Friday, the EFCC said: “Justice F. A. Olubanjo of the Federal High Court sitting in Asaba, Delta State, on Thursday, October 15, 2026, convicted and sentenced five persons to jail for abuse of naira notes. The convicts are Ekweozor Divine, Udumeluo Godwin Chukwuebuka, Kennedy Uwadia, Godstime Ogie Eghosa and Bright Barry Imade.

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“They were convicted on one count charge for offence bordering on spraying of naira notes, which is contrary to Section 21(3) of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act 2007 and punishable under Section 21(1) of the Act.”

The commission did not, however, disclose how long the prison terms would run.

Under Nigerian law, abuse of the naira, which covers spraying, defacing and selling the currency, attracts a minimum of six months’ imprisonment, a fine of at least ₦50,000, or both. Critics, however, argue that the EFCC enforces the provision selectively.

In 2024, crossdresser Idris Okuneye, known as Bobrisky, was handed six months’ imprisonment after pleading guilty to four counts of naira abuse. He was prosecuted for spraying naira at a social event.

Kannywood actress Saadatu Inuwa was also convicted in February this year, after a video showing her wiping her nose with naira notes circulated on social media.