The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured the conviction of 10 persons for abusing the naira by spraying the currency while dancing at social events in Delta State and Edo State.

The convictions were secured by the EFCC’s Benin Zonal Directorate before Justice F. A. Olubanjo of the Federal High Court, Asaba, and Justice C. A. Obiozor of the Federal High Court, Benin City.

Those convicted include Lucky Onoberhie, Happy Joseph Isioma, Friday Ehiedu, Collins Ndudi Albert, Okorie Builder, Ernest Achieme, Isicheli Desmond Chijioke, Nwosu Davison, Enadegh Agbonmware and Lucky Osaro.

According to the anti-graft agency, the defendants were prosecuted for tampering with the naira by spraying the currency while dancing at parties, an offence contrary to Section 21(3) of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007.

One of the charges, filed against Ernest Achieme, stated that he tampered with N50,000 in N200 denominations by spraying the notes while dancing at a wedding ceremony in Kwale on December 31, 2025.

The charge read: “That you Ernest Achieme (m) on or about the 31st December, 2025 at Kwale within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, whilst dancing at a wedding ceremony tampered with the sum of N50,000.00 (Fifty Thousand Naira) in N200 (Two Hundred Naira) denomination issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria by spraying same and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 21(3) of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007 and punishable under Section 21(3) of the same Act.”

The defendants pleaded guilty when the charges were read to them, following which the prosecution counsel, K. W. Chukwuma-Eneh, urged the courts to convict and sentence them accordingly.

Justice Olubanjo subsequently convicted Onoberhie, Isioma, Ehiedu, Ndudi, Builder, Achieme, Chijioke and Davison, sentencing each to 12 months’ imprisonment or an option of a N100,000 fine.

In a separate ruling, Justice Obiozor sentenced Agbonmware to six months’ imprisonment or a N100,000 fine for spraying the naira, while Osaro received the same sentence for a similar offence.

The EFCC said all 10 convicts also signed written undertakings to maintain good conduct henceforth.

The commission reiterated that the convicts were arrested and prosecuted for abusing the naira in violation of existing laws prohibiting the mutilation and improper handling of Nigeria’s currency.