The Benin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has secured the conviction of 12 individuals for naira mutilation and abuse.
The convicts are Abimbola Dolapo, Ufuoma Okotie, Samuel Kingsley, Rasaki Ayomide, Ekpmamuku Oghenekewvwe and Abraham Eriata.
Others are Favour Onowighose, Karaki Emmanuel Ejioghene, Simeon Sabastine , Valetine Chikeze, Omoyibo Destiny Prince and Akenuwa Clinton Osamudiamen.
The convicts were said to have tampered with the naira note by spraying same while dancing at a party, an offence contrary to Section 21(3) of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act 2…
Their charges were read when they appeared before Justice Hyeladzira Nganjiwa of the Federal High Court sitting in Warri, Delta State were as follows:
The charge against one of them, Akenuwa Clinton Osamudiamen read: “That you Akenuwa Clinton Osamudiamen (m) on or about January 2025 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, whilst dancing at a birthday party tampered with the sum of N20,000,00 (twenty thousand Naira) in N200 (two hundred naira) denomination issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria by spraying same and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 2(3) of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act,2007 and punishable under Section 21(1) of the same Act”.
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The defendants pleaded guilty to their charges of Naira mutilation and abuse, prompting the prosecution counsel, Francis Jirbo, to pray the court to convict and sentence them accordingly.
Counsel to the defendants pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy and that the defendants have become remorseful for their action.
Justice Nganjiwa convicted and sentenced Abimbola Dolapo, Ufuoma Okotie, Samuel Kingsley, Rasaki Ayomide, Ekpmamuku Oghenekewvwe, Abraham Eriata, Favour Onowighose, Karaki Emmanuel Ejioghene, Simeon Sabastine , Valetine Chikeze and Omoyibo Destiny Prince to six months imprisonment or a fine of N150,000 (One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) each while Atenuwa Clinton Osamudiamen bagged six months imprisonment or a fine of N200,000 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira).
All the convicts undertook in writing to be of good conduct going forward.
