A Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos has sentenced Okoli Frank Emeka to six months imprisonment for defacing Nigerian currency during a social function. The conviction came after Emeka pleaded guilty to a one-count charge of Naira mutilation brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke delivered the judgment on Friday, May 23, 2025, offering the convict an option of N250,000 fine in lieu of imprisonment.

According to a statement by EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale, the charge stemmed from an incident that occurred on August 18, 2024, at Al-moruf Garden in the Isheri Olofin area of Alimosho Local Government Area, Lagos, where Emeka was seen stomping on Naira notes during a celebration.

The charge read: "That you, Okoli Frank Emeka, on the 18th day of August, 2024, at Al-moruf Garden, Isheri Olofin, Alimosho Local area of Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, whilst matching on the Naira notes during a social occasion, tampered with the sum of N2,000,000.00 (Two Million Naira) issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria, by matching on the same at the said occasion and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act, 2007."

During the proceedings, prosecution counsel Z.B. Atiku presented evidence through EFCC investigative officer Sa'id Sada Sani, who explained that the agency initiated an intelligence-led investigation after a viral video showed the defendant defacing currency notes.

"A surveillance was carried out, leading to the arrest of the defendant on May 15, 2025," Sani testified. "He was shown a video of him spraying the money and he made a statement regarding it."

The court admitted video evidence and a written statement by the defendant as exhibits before delivering the judgment.

This case highlights ongoing efforts by Nigerian authorities to enforce the Central Bank Act, which prohibits the abuse of the national currency. The Central Bank of Nigeria has repeatedly warned against spraying, writing on, or mutilating Naira notes, emphasizing that such actions constitute a punishable offense under Nigerian law.