The abuse of the naira — the Nigerian currency — is deemed a criminal offense, punishable under the law. Section 21(3) of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act 2007 (as amended) stipulates that “spraying of, dancing or matching on the naira or any note issued by the bank during social occasions or otherwise howsoever shall constitute an abuse and defacing of the naira or such note and shall be punishable under the law by fines or imprisonment or both”.
Despite countless warnings by the apex bank, spraying of naira notes at social gatherings had continued without sanctions for many years. It has been seen as a tradition in many parts of Nigeria.
But last year, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which is a key collaborator with the CBN on the “unpatriotic practice”, wielded the big stick on Simi Gold, the actress, in what happened to be a landmark case of naira abuse.
Gold was arrested in February 2023 after a video of her spraying and stepping on the naira notes at a party surfaced online. She was sentenced to six months in prison in February 2024. The court, however, handed down the sentence with an option of a N300,000 fine.
A few weeks after Gold’s court case, Bobrisky, the crossdresser, was arrested in Lagos for defacing the naira notes. Last Friday, Bobrisky was sentenced to six months in prison. The sentence was without the option of bail.
While tongues were wagging on social media over the nature of Bobrisky’s sentence, the anti-graft filed a three-count charge against Cubana Chief Priest, the nightlife promoter, for alleged abuse of the Nigerian currency.
Cubana, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges on Wednesday. Kehinde Ogundare, a judge of the federal high court in Lagos, thereafter granted him bail in the sum of N10 million with two responsible sureties in like sum. The case was also adjourned.
Last Sunday, the commission warned that many more celebrities will be prosecuted, adding that it is investigating those who may have been involved in currency abuse.
Watch the videos below.
Wizkid
In December 2023, revealed that he would distribute the sum of N100 million to the kids for Christmas.
While doing so, the singer was seen spraying wads of cash on the streets of Lagos while inside his lush automobile.
The ‘Ojuelegba’ hitmaker was also seen throwing money during his mother’s burial that took place in October last year.
Portable
The ‘Zazoo Zeh’ singer is known for his philanthropy, especially on the streets of Sango-Ota, his hometown in Ogun. He has been spotted throwing money into the air on several occasions during his visit home.
Kanayo O Kanayo
In 2021, the ace Nollywood actor was spotted at a party during the Christmas festivities in Imo state. To celebrate the festivities, he sprayed money into the air as people danced around him.
Asake
The ‘Joha’ singer was also seen throwing money into the air at a party hosted by Yhemolee a few months ago.
Asake took the wads of minted N500 notes, removed the currency straps, and flung the notes into the air from the roof of the building where he stood.
Eniola Badmus
Badmus was sighted at a party alongside Bobrisky tossing money at Mega 99, the gospel juju musician, while he was performing at an event some years ago.
Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, the Ooni of Ife, has eulogised his daughter, Princess Adeola Ogunwusi, on her 30th birthday, but reminded her to “bring a husband to daddy”.
The Ooni who took to his Instagram handle to celebrate his daughter prayed God continue to be with her in all her endeavours.
Recalling his words to her in decades, he said when she was 10 years old, he advised her about school and her future.
At 20, he urged her to understand the values of morals and well-being. And now that she’s 30, she should “bring husband to daddy”.
He wrote: “Princess Adeola, Aanuoluwapo, Atutunini, Bamdefe Ogunwusi, Omo Ojaja II. I am truly grateful for the fulfilling life you have lived. May God Almighty continue to be with you in all your endeavors. Amen!
“When you turned 10, your father would talk to you about school and your future. At 20, he encouraged you to listen and understand the importance of morals and well-being, even as you sought independence.
“Now that you are 30, you are a grown woman. Your father senses that you no longer wish to be advised as independence has finally set in.
“I talked 10 to you and I got your subtle independence behaviour in return, I talked 20 to you and still got your near obvious independence behaviour in return. Now I’m talking 30 to a grown woman, so go and bring husband to daddy o…
A disabled Nigerian man, who has resided in the UK for 38 years, is facing the prospect of being forcibly removed from the country by the Home Office, the Guardian UK reports.
Anthony Olubunmi George, now 61 years old, arrived in the UK at the age of 24 back in 1986, from Nigeria.
Since then, he has remained in the UK and, according to the Guardian, has a clean record with no criminal convictions.
In 2019, he experienced two strokes that had a significant impact on his ability to speak and move.
According to George, he no longer has any immediate relatives residing in Nigeria.
He is said to have faced numerous episodes of homelessness and admitted that he has lost track of the countless friends who have sheltered him over the years.
George said, “I don’t know how many different sofas I’ve slept on – too many to count. I don’t have my life, living the way I’m living now. My health problems since I had my stroke are my biggest worry. All I’m asking for is some kindness from the Home Office.”
George has submitted multiple applications for leave to remain in the UK, all of which have been denied by the Home Office, with the most recent rejection occurring on May 7, 2024.
In 2005, his previous solicitors submitted a falsified entry stamp in his passport which has since been reported to the police and the legal regulatory bodies.
I am still in UK, lady in viral video debunks report of relocating to Nigeria
According to George, he was completely unaware of the passport stamp until several years later, as he revealed to the Guardian.
According to his current lawyer, Naga Kandiah of MTC Solicitors, George’s difficulties can be attributed to his poor past legal representation.
In their latest rejection, officials from the Home Office stated that the situation was not deemed to be an exceptional circumstance.
Kandiah has filed an appeal challenging the most recent denial.
Kandiah said, “My client has been living in limbo for 38 years, with no family, has suffered two strokes and has no family left in Nigeria.
“His situation is not just because of Home Office policies but also because of poor representation by previous solicitors who failed to uphold professional integrity and ethical standards.”
A spokesperson for the Home Office told the Guardian that, “applications have to be considered on their merits in accordance with the immigration rules with the responsibility on applicants to demonstrate they meet these rules.
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The Guardian also covered the story of Nelson Shardey, a 74-year-old newsagent from Merseyside.
Shardey has been living in the UK since 1977 and was recently denied indefinite leave to remain by the Home Office, despite having spent the majority of his adult life in the country.
Dignitaries from Nigeria and across the United Kingdom stormed the city of London on Friday, May 17 2024, for the 2nd edition of Triangle Face of Africa Award.
Triangle Face of Africa Leadership Award is a yearly event that honours Nigerians and Africans who have positively impacted lives and also distinguished themselves in their areas of endeavors.
The 2024 event was spiced with a lecture titled, “Navigating Security Challenges in Nigeria: A Comprehensive Approach to Solutions” was delivered by the duo of Professor Ojo Emmanuel Ademola and Dr. Nathaniel Oyinloye.
Dignitaries honoured at the London event include Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Duoye Diri; the Nigerian Interior Minister, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo; General Overseer of the Love of Christ Generation, Rev. (Dr) Esther Abimbola Ajayi; renowned clergy and APC stalwart, Cardinal James Omolaja Odunmbaku (Baba Eto) and the Chief of Staff to Lagos State, Tayo Ayinde.
Other honorees include the Chief of Staff to the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rev.(Mrs) Ijeoma Ajibade; the National Director for Safeguarding Church of England, Alexander Kubeyinje and the CEO of EB Properties, Sunday Aderibigbe,Mr Kayode Adegbite,Festus Akingbaso,Hon.Bamidele salam and Abiola Oladapo and Olumide Tijani
While welcoming the honorees and guests to the event, the publisher of Triangle Magazine, Otunba Femi Salako thanked dignitaries and guests present at the event for honoring him with their valued presence.
Otunba Salako emphasized that the yearly award was intended to celebrate the achievements of outstanding Nigerians and Africans that have made significant contributions to their communities and the world at large. He also added that the yearly award was a platform that would inspire Nigerians and Africans across the globe to strive towards excellence.
Salako also described topic of the event’s lecture as thought provoking and timely in view of the security challenges confronting Nigeria. He however, appreciated the two guest lecturers, Professor Ojo Emmanuel Ademola and Dr. Nathaniel Oyinloye for their robust intellectual contributions, which made the lecture quite insightful and invaluable.
“This award ceremony is not just about recognizing individual achievements, but also about creating a platform to inspire others to strive for excellence. We aim to bring together leaders and change-makers from various fields to celebrate African excellence and promote unity and progress”.
While Otunba Salako congratulated the honorees for their well deserved recognition, he also charged them to continually make impacts in their communities and the world at large. He also urged the guests and the honorees to celebrate the excellence inherent in Africa. He further urged Africans to inspire one another, and work together towards a brighter future for the African continent.
The roll call of guests at the event include the UK Mobility Security, Compliance Vice President of EMEA, Nicanor Chavez; the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Duoye Diri, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, who represented the Bayelsa State Governor; Chief (Mrs) Simi Odunmbaku, who represented her husband and the Lagos State Chief of Staff; son of the General Overseer of the Love of Christ Generation, Emmanuel Ajayi; publisher of African Briefing,John Offei-Ansah; and the magazine’s editor, Desmond Davies; clergymen amongst others.