A Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State, has sentenced two individuals to six months’ imprisonment each for desecrating the Nigerian currency, following their involvement in an act that violated the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Act. The conviction underscores the federal government’s renewed efforts to curb the abuse of the naira and enforce respect for the country’s legal tender.

The convicts, identified as David Chukwudi and Mary Temitope, were sentenced on Monday by Justice Nkeonye Maha after pleading guilty to the charges brought against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibadan Zonal Office. The court held that the prosecution had sufficiently established its case, relying on both the plea bargain entered by the defendants and the evidence tendered.

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In her ruling, Justice Maha stated that Chukwudi was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment with an option of a ₦50,000 fine. Temitope received the same sentence, also with an option of a ₦50,000 fine. The judge noted that the punishment was in line with the law and meant to serve as a deterrent to others who might engage in similar acts.

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According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), both convicts appealed to the court for leniency shortly before judgment was delivered. They expressed remorse for their actions and described their conduct as shameful. Chukwudi and Temitope told the court that they had learned valuable lessons from the incident and pledged to become advocates against the desecration of the naira.

They further promised to use their experience to educate others on the importance of respecting Nigeria’s currency, urging members of the public to refrain from acts such as spraying, stepping on, or mutilating banknotes during social events.

Earlier in the proceedings, the prosecuting counsel, Mr A. S. Salihu, informed the court that the offence was committed on March 11, 2025, in Ibadan. He explained that the defendants were arrested after a video showing them dancing and stepping on naira notes at a party went viral on social media platforms.

Salihu told the court that the viral footage attracted the attention of EFCC operatives, who subsequently launched an investigation that led to the arrest and prosecution of the duo. He stressed that their actions constituted an offence under relevant provisions of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, which criminalises the abuse and mutilation of the national currency.

The EFCC has in recent months intensified its campaign against naira abuse, warning that acts often considered casual or celebratory, especially at parties and ceremonies, carry serious legal consequences. The commission has repeatedly stated that enforcement of the law is necessary to preserve the dignity, integrity, and value of the Nigerian currency.

Legal analysts say the conviction serves as another reminder that ignorance of the law offers no protection, and that the judiciary remains committed to supporting regulatory agencies in enforcing financial and economic laws.

As public awareness grows, authorities hope that such convictions will discourage the widespread culture of naira abuse and promote a greater sense of responsibility among citizens toward national symbols and institutions.