COURT JAILS KANO TIKTOK USER SIX MONTHS FOR NAIRA ABUSE, WITH OPTION OF N50,000 FINE

The Kano Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has secured the conviction and sentencing of social media influencer, Murja Ibrahim Kunya, to six months imprisonment for abuse of the Naira. Justice Simone Amobeda of the Federal High Court sitting in Kano pronounced judgment against Kunya on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, following his arrest and arraignment for allegedly spraying Naira notes for fun during her stay in a hotel room at Tahir Guest Palace in Kano. She was initially arrested in January 2025 for violating the Central Bank of Nigeria CBN, Act which prohibits the abuse and mutilation of the Naira and was granted an administrative bail by the Commission pending her arraignment before the Federal High Court in Kano. However, when it was time for her court appearance, she absconded in her bid to evade the legal processes, until she was re-arrested on Sunday March 16, 2025. She was subsequently arraigned on 20 May 2025 where she pleaded guilty to the one count amended charge, following which the prosecution counsel, Musa Isah reviewed the facts of the case and prayed the court to convict her accordingly. Delivering judgment, Justice Amobeda convicted Kunya and sentenced her to six months imprisonment with an option of N50,000 (Fifty Thousand Naira only) fine. Justice Amobeda also issued a consequential order appointing her as an Ambassador of EFCC and CBN in online advocacy campaigns against Naira Abuse due to her substantial following across various social media platforms. EFCC spokesman, Dele Oyewale, said by the court order, Kunya is mandated to utilize her social media reach to educate her followers on the importance of respecting the Nigerian currency and the legal consequences of its abuse or mutilation.