Old, dirty Naira notes: House of Reps demands immediate replacement by the CBN
The House of Representatives has urged the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to ensure wide circulation of new notes of N200, N500 and N1000 as well as begin a gradual withdrawal of the old notes from circulation. This call was made after a motion raised by Adam Victor Ogene (LP, Anambra), demanding that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) should kick-start awareness programmes for Nigerians to be aware and prepare for the deadline of December 31, 2024. Contributing to the discussion, the Labour Party lawmaker recounted the hardship, frustration, controversy and chaotic situation the implementation of the policy earlier caused in 2023. He added that the scarcity of the new currency notes led to untold hardship in the nation as a result of the CBN’s inability to supply new versions of the changed currency notes. “Going by the Supreme Court’s subsequent ruling and order, the N200, N500 and N1000 notes shall cease to be legal tender, medium of exchange for goods and services in Nigeria, and shall also cease to be in circulation as from January 1, 2025,” the lawmaker said. In 2022, a controversy erupted in Nigeria after the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), under the leadership of then-Governor Godwin Emefiele, announced plans to redesign and introduce new versions of three denominations of banknotes: N200, N500, and N1000. The existing notes were to remain valid until January 31, 2023. The move had sparked widespread debate and discussion across the country. According to Emefiele, the decision was reached due to persisting concerns around the number of naira notes outside the banking system. Over one year after, findings showed that the CBN policy which was reported to have gulped over N74 billion failed.
BREAKING: EFCC Withdraws Naira Abuse Suit Against Cubana Chief Priest
A Federal High Court in Lagos has ruled in favour of celebrity bartender, Pascal Okechukwu, popularly known as Cubana Chief Priest, by granting a motion by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to discontinue its suit against him. The court’s decision comes after both parties revealed they were exploring a settlement in the matter. During the May 2 seating, the defense counsel, Mr. Chikaosolu Ojukwu (SAN), informed the court that parties were exploring a settlement, and the matter was adjourned until June 5 for a report on the settlement. The court then adjourned the case until June 5 (today) for report of settlement. However, on Wednesday, the defense requested an adjournment, and the case was fixed for June 25 for mention. Cubana Chief Priest is accused of tampering with N500 denomination funds while dancing at the social event. This the EFCC said contraves the Central Bank Act of 2007. He was later arraigned on April 17 on a three-count charge bordering on Naira Abuse.
Naira Abuse: Bobrisky appeals against sentence
Controversial cross-dresser Idris Okuneye, A.K.A Bobrisky has approached the Appeal Court, challenging the six months sentence given to him by a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos. He pleaded guilty before Justice A.O. Awogboro of the court on a four counts charge bordering on naira abuse proffered on him by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). However, the court on April 12 sentenced Okuneye to six months imprisonment without an option of fine to serve as a deterrent to others fond of abusing and mutilating the naira. Not satisfied with the verdict handed to him, Okuneye, through his counsel, Mr Bimbo Kusanu, has approached Court of Appeal, praying it to set aside the sentence. Specifically, Bobrisky is asking the court to replace the sentence with an option of N50,000 fine on each of the counts. In the notice of appeal, he submitted that the trial court imposed the maximum sentence on the appellant, who had no previous criminal record of conviction. He stated that there were options to impose a lesser sentence by the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA). He averred that the sentence imposed by the trial court against the appellant was punitive and contrary to the mandatory provisions of the ACJA. The appellant stated that the trial court did not consider the positive antecedent of the appellant, who did not waste the time of the court by pleading guilty to the charge. He stated that the appellant honoured the invitation of the respondent on the first invitation. He said that the trial court failed to exercise its discretion judiciously and judicially in sentencing the appellant, explaining that such an act had occasioned a miscarriage of justice against his client.
Naira Abuse: I’m only artiste who stops people from spraying me – Seun Kuti
Afrobeat singer, Seun Kuti has claimed he is the only musician in Nigeria who stops people from spraying him currency bills when performing. He also claimed that a lot of artistes, especially fuji musicians praise people in melodies during their performances just so that they can be sprayed. Kuti made the claims against the backdrop of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC’s crackdown on Naira abusers. Speaking in a video message shared via his Instagram account, he said: “I don’t even like to be sprayed. I’m the only artist that stops people from spraying me. Even my dad, the legendary Fela didn’t prevent people from spraying him but he demanded the denominations he wanted to be sprayed. “Nobody wey Sunny Ade never sing for so he can be sprayed. Everybody name. KWAM 1 … eh eh. It is the politicians that made spraying a standard behaviour.”
Bobrisky Transferred To Another Prison
The Nigeria Correctional Service (NCS) has reportedly transferred embattled cross-dresser Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, from the Ikoyi Correctional Center to the Kirikiri Prison. Recall that Bobrisky, a controversial figure, was sentenced last week to a six-month jail term for abusing the Naira. A reliable source, an official of the NCS, told LEADERSHIP that the popular cross-dresser is presently held at the Kirikiri Prison and was discreetly transferred last weekend to Kirikiri. He stated, “It is procedural that he is moved to Kirikiri since it is an expansive prison compared to what we have here,” adding that due to security reasons, Okuneye was quietly moved to the facility where he will serve his term. The source confirmed that the convict had been taken to the male cell with other inmates “and so he will be treated as a normal inmate,” he said. While sentencing Bobrisky on Friday, April 12, 2024, Justice Abimbola Awogboro of the Federal High Court in Lagos State said the verdict would serve as a deterrent to others who are fond of abusing and mutilating the naira. Bobrisky is being identified as a male based on his admission at the court last week, and according to reports, there is no realignment of gender or genital organs.
Naira Abuse Charge: Cubana Chief Priest pleads not guilty ….granted 10m bail
A businessman and socialite, Pascal Okechukwu, popularly known as Cubana Chief Priest, on Wednesday, pleaded not guilty to tampering and abusing the naira. Cubana Chief Priest was arraigned before Justice Kehinde Ogundare of the Federal High Court in Lagos on three counts bordering on abuse of naira by allegedly spraying and tampering with the nation’s currency at a social event, contrary to the provisions of the Central Bank Act of 2007. He was alleged to have sprayed the naira on February 13, 2024, at Eko Hotel. Cubana Chief Priest was said to have also committed the offences while dancing during a social event. He was said to have tampered with funds in the denomination of N500 notes issued by the CBN by spraying the same for two hours.
Naira Abuse: EFCC Files 3-Count Charge Against Cubana Chief Priest
Nigerian socialite, Pascal Okechukwu, popularly known as Cubana Chief Priest, has been charged to court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. The Imo State born celebrity barman will be arraigned before the Federal High Court in Lagos on a three-count charge for allegedly spraying and tampering with the Naira at a social event, contrary to the provisions of the Central Bank Act of 2007. He is expected to take his plea before a trial judge tomorrow, Wednesday, April 17. The allegations against him read: “That you, Okechukwu Pascal, on 13th Feb. 2024, at Eko Hotel, within the jurisdiction of the court, while dancing during a social event, tampered with funds in the denomination of N500 (Five Hundred Naira) issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria by spraying same for two hours, and you thereby committed an offence, contrary to and punishable under Section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act 2007.” “That you, Okechukwu Pascal sometime in 2020, in Lagos during a social event, tampered with funds in the denomination of N500 (Five Hundred Naira) issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria by spraying same for two hours, and you thereby committed an offence, contrary to and punishable under Section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act 2007.” “That you, Okechukwu Pascal sometime in January 2024, in Lagos during a social event, tampered with funds in the denomination of N500 (Five Hundred Naira) issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria by spraying same and you thereby committed an offence, contrary to and punishable under Section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act 2007.” Cubana Chief Priest’s trial is coming few days after the anti-graft agency also secured the conviction of a controversial cross dresser, Idris Okuneye, aka Bobrisky, who was sentenced to 6 months in prison without the option of fine, for mutilation and abuse of the Naira.
Naira Abuse: Court jail Bobrisky six months with no fine option … “I am a man,” he admitted
Justice Abimbola Awogboro of the Federal High Court in Lagos has sentenced cross-dresser Idris Okuneye, A.K.A Bobrisky, to six months in jail with no option of fine. Bobrisky, on arraignment, pleaded guilty to the charge of naira abuse. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Thursday, April 4, docked the controversial cross-dresser on a six-count of money laundering and abuse of naira. However, the court dismissed the money laundering charges but convicted him for Naira Abuse after he confessed to the crime. At the last sitting, the prosecution counsel, S.I. Sulaiman urged the court to allow the investigating officer, ASE I Bolaji Temitope Aje, to give a brief review of the facts against him. Aje narrated to the court that the EFCC received intelligence on some individuals, who are in the habit of mutilating and spraying the Naira notes at social parties and event centres in Lagos. According to him, “Based on intelligence, the EFCC set up the Special Operations Team to observe and monitor activities of individuals, who are involved in the habit of mutilating the Naira. “The team visited many event centres and monitored social media pages, where the Naira was being abused. During the course of the monitoring, the team came across videos on social media, where the defendant was seen abusing the Naira. The team then proceeded to download these videos via our office laptop computers and also went further to copy these videos on compact disc. “In the light of the foregoing, a letter of invitation was written and forwarded to the defendant. “The defendant honoured the invitation. When he got to our office, he was voluntarily cautioned. Thereafter, he volunteered to write his statement. “The defendant was shown a video, where he was spraying money on an artiste called Segun Johnson. The defendant confessed that he was the one in the video. He was also shown a video at IMAX Circle Mall, where he sprayed a total sum of N400,000 at a movie premiere. The defendant also admitted that he was the one in the video and that he carried out the abuse. “The defendant was also shown two other videos of him spraying the Naira at Aja junction, Ikorodu, and White Stone Event Centre, Ikeja, Lagos. “The defendant admitted to spraying money in these videos. He was, therefore, served with a bail condition.” Consequently, Sulaiman then prayed the court to convict and sentence the defendant accordingly. Justice Awogboro had, thereafter, ruled that “upon the admission of guilt by the defendant, testimony of PW1 and following the evidence tendered, the defendant is declared guilty as charged.” In his plea for mercy, Bobrisky said: “I am a social media influencer, with five million followers; and in all honesty, I was not aware of the law. I wish I could be given a second chance to use my platform to educate my followers against the abuse of the Naira.” Also, his lawyer had said: “He will lead the crusade against the abuse of Naira. He is also an employer of people ; and if he goes to jail, the people he employs will suffer. He has cooperated with the EFCC and has not wasted the time of the court. We urge the court to caution the defendant and allow him to go. He has given evidence that he will be useful to the country. We urge you to grant a non-custodial sentencing option of fine.” After listening to both parties, the judge deferred judgment in the matter to Tuesday, April 9, 2024, and also ordered that he be remanded in the EFCC custody. Delivering judgment on Friday, Justice Awogboro held that “The act of mutilating the Naira notes has become a menace, which has continued to damage the image of the country. “Enough of people mutilating and tampering with our currencies. It has to stop. His will serve as a deterrent to others.” The Judge, therefore, sentenced him to six months imprisonment, without an option of fine, from the date of his remand
Abuse of Naira: Court convicts Bobrisky, gives judgement April 9
The federal high court sitting in Lagos, Friday convicted controversial cross-dresser Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, for abusing the Naira. Justice Abimbola Awogboro convicted him after the review of the facts of the case. The judge also ordered that he should be returned to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s custody pending the judgment on April 9th, 2024. Bobrisky had, in his defense, told the court that he was not aware of the law on abusing the naira. He said that he is a social media influencer with over five million followers. The court, in its ruling, held that ignorance of the law was not an excuse. He said, “I know, My Lord. My Lord, I wish that you could give me a second chance to use my platform to inform and educate my followers about spraying money. “I would do a video on my page, and I will educate people about spraying money. “I will not repeat it again. I regret my actions.” Earlier, Bobrisky was arraigned on four counts of naira abuse preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. The cross-dresser who refers to himself as “Mummy of Lagos” pleaded guilty to the charges.
EFCC Launches Investigation into Bobrisky’s Alleged Naira Abuse
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Lagos Zonal Command, has launched a probe into the actions of Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, for purportedly spraying Naira notes. The investigation stems from a video circulating online, showing Bobrisky allegedly flaunting bundles of new Naira notes at the premiere of the movie “Ajakaju,” produced by Nollywood actress and producer Eniola Ajao. The event took place at Film One Circle Mall in Lekki, Lagos, on March 24, 2024. According to sources, this is not an isolated incident, as Bobrisky is suspected of engaging in similar activities at various event centers and parties on multiple occasions. Responding to the EFCC’s invitation, Bobrisky arrived at the Lagos Zonal Command on Wednesday morning, April 4, 2024, for questioning and provided his statements voluntarily. Upon the conclusion of investigations, Bobrisky is expected to be formally charged in court.