Court Convicts Popular Skitmaker for Naira Abuse in Ibadan

Justice Uche Agomoh of the Federal High Court in Ibadan, Oyo State, has convicted two social media influencers, Bukola Rufai and Abdulateef Jimoh, for abusing the Nigerian currency.

According to a statement released on Wednesday by the Head of Media and Publicity for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Dele Oyewale, the pair were charged and prosecuted by the EFCC’s Ibadan Zonal Directorate on a one-count charge bordering on currency mutilation.

The charge stated:
“That you, Bukola Rufai and Abdulateef Jimoh, on or about the 25th day of September, 2024, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did match on Naira notes issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 21 (3) of the Central Bank Act 2007 and punishable under Section 21 (1) of the same Act.”

Both defendants pleaded guilty. The prosecution counsel, Lanre Suleiman, presented the facts of the case and submitted video evidence showing the influencers spraying and trampling on naira notes in a clip posted on TikTok. He urged the court to convict and sentence them accordingly.

The defence counsel, O.D. Ajadi, pleaded for leniency, noting that the convicts were first-time offenders and had shown remorse.

Justice Agomoh found them guilty but gave a light sentence, imposing a fine of ₦50,000 each in lieu of jail time.

The EFCC revealed that their arrest followed a viral TikTok video in which the duo were seen abusing the naira, prompting public outrage and subsequent investigation.