Justice Uche Agomoh of the Federal High Court, sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State, has convicted two social media influencers, Bukola Arike Rufai and Abdulateef Ayinde Jimoh, for the abuse and mutilation of naira notes.

The duo was prosecuted on a joint one-count charge that bordered on currency mutilation by the Ibadan Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The charge read: “That you Bukola Arike Rufai and Abdulateef Ayinde 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.”

During the court proceedings, the convicted individuals pleaded “guilty” when the charge was read. Following their plea, prosecution counsel Lanre Suleiman reviewed the facts of the case and tendered incriminating evidence, praying the court to convict and sentence them accordingly. On the other hand, the defence counsel, O.D. Ajadi, appealed to the court to temper justice with mercy, stating that the duo are first-time offenders and have become remorseful of their actions.

Justice Agomoh subsequently convicted both offenders, imposing a fine of N50,000.00 each without a custodial sentence. This development was confirmed in a statement signed by the EFCC’s Head, Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, which was made available to journalists in Ibadan.

The events leading to their arrest and prosecution unfolded when Bukola Arike Rufai and Abdulateef Ayinde Jimoh made a video of themselves spraying and trampling on naira notes, which they then posted on the social media platform, TikTok.