The Benin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured the conviction of 12 persons for naira mutilation and abuse before Justice Hyeladzira Nganjiwa of the Federal High Court in Warri, Delta State.
The convicts are Abimbola Dolapo, Ufuoma Okotie, Samuel Kingsley, Rasaki Ayomide, Ekpmamuku Oghenekewvwe, Abraham Eriata, Favour Onowighose, Karaki Emmanuel Ejioghene, Simeon Sabastine, Valentine Chikeze, Omoyibo Destiny Prince and Akenuwa Clinton Osamudiamen.
According to the EFCC, the defendants were prosecuted for tampering with naira notes by spraying them while dancing at social events, an offence contrary to the provisions of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Act, 2007.
One of the charges against Akenuwa Clinton Osamudiamen stated that he, in January 2025, sprayed N20,000 in N200 denominations while dancing at a birthday party, thereby tampering with currency issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria. The charge said the act contravened the provisions of the CBN Act and is punishable under the law.
The defendants pleaded guilty to the charges when they were read to them.
Following their guilty pleas, prosecution counsel, Francis Jirbo, urged the court to convict and sentence them accordingly. Defence counsel, however, appealed for leniency, arguing that the defendants had shown remorse for their actions.
Justice Nganjiwa subsequently convicted all 12 defendants.
The court sentenced Abimbola Dolapo, Ufuoma Okotie, Samuel Kingsley, Rasaki Ayomide, Ekpmamuku Oghenekewvwe, Abraham Eriata, Favour Onowighose, Karaki Emmanuel Ejioghene, Simeon Sabastine, Valentine Chikeze and Omoyibo Destiny Prince to six months’ imprisonment or an option of a N150,000 fine each.
Akenuwa Clinton Osamudiamen was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment or given the option of paying a N200,000 fine.
The court also noted that all the convicts signed written undertakings to be of good conduct in the future.
In a related development, Justice Nganjiwa on Friday, July 17, 2026, ordered the final forfeiture of seven luxury vehicles to the Federal Government.
The vehicles, recovered by the EFCC as proceeds of crime from convicted internet fraudsters, include a Mercedes-Benz GLK (registration number LSD 412 KJ), Lexus RX 330 (WWR 640 NG), Mercedes-Benz ML (TAB 211 DZ), Lexus ES 350 (KUJ 125 DB), Mercedes-Benz GLK (BDG 668 JT), Mercedes-Benz GLC (KSF 8867 KM) and another Mercedes-Benz GLK (KSF 871 KM)
