2 Get 6-month Jail Term For Desecrating Naira Notes

A Federal High Court in Ibadan has sentenced two people, David Chukwudi and Mary Temitope, to six months each for stepping on Naira currency.

In her judgment, Justice Nkeonye Maha said she convicted and sentenced Chukwudi and Temitope based on their plea bargain and the evidence tendered by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibadan Zonal Office, against them.

Maha said that the convicts were first-time offenders and had promised to be of good behaviour henceforth.

“Therefore, Chukwudi is sentenced to six months imprisonment or an option of N50,000.

“Similarly, Temitope is sentenced to six months imprisonment or an option of N50,000,” Maha said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that each of the convicts had, shortly before the judgment, pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy in sentencing them.

They said they were remorseful for their shameful actions, ready to work as ambassadors of change, campaigning against the desecration of the Naira currency.

Earlier, the prosecutor, Mr A.S. Salihu, had told the court that the convicts committed the crime on March 11, 2025, in Ibadan, Oyo State.

Salihu added that detectives from the anti-graft agency arrested the duo after a video of them dancing on naira notes at a party went viral on social media.

The prosecution noted that the offence contravened the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Act.