ARREST ANTIDOTE: Celebrities Devised New Methods of Spraying Naira Notes.
With the recent move of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on abusers of Naira, Nigerians have invented new ways of ensuring that the funfair that comes with the spraying of naira note at social functions remains.
Nigerians developed conscious of the seriousness of the crimes associated with naira handling when the anti-graft agency made a statement with a controversial cross-dresser, Idris Okuneye, aka Bobrisky, who was sentenced to six months imprisonment with no option of fine for mishandling the Naira notes.
In another development, earlier in February 2024, actress, Oluwadarasimi Omoseyin, was convicted and sentenced to six months in prison for defacing the naira notes by spraying and stepping on them at a social event in Lagos.
After Bobrisky’s conviction, another socialite, Pascal Okechukwu, aka Cubana Chief Priest, got a N10m bail after he pleaded ‘not guilty’ to a charge of abusing the Naira.
Consequent up on conviction of the former and trial of the latter, nine actions involving the naira that could lead to legal consequences was highlighted.
As contained in the report: “spraying, writing, tearing, stapling, dancing or stamping on the naira, selling, mutilating, rejecting the naira, and money bouquets were listed, as actions involving the naira that could lead to legal consequences.
The Central Bank of Nigeria Clean Notes Policy was implemented to enhance the visual appeal and durability of the banknotes in circulation, as stated on the official website of the apex bank.
It was disclosed by CBN that the objective of the policy is to guarantee that the naira banknotes in circulation maintain a high standard of quality, enabling them to be easily processed and accepted by the general public.
In beating the offences, partygoers and musicians have invented new ways of spraying the naira.
With the new advocacy, some musicians have applauded the EFCC’s recent move to enforce the ban on abuse of the Naira.
Meanwhile, it’s the believe of many that the ban on spraying money at parties will have negative impact on musicians, especially indigenous ones, some of them have said it is a good development.
In separate interviews with popular musicians— Wasiu Alabi, aka Pasuma; Saheed Osupa, and Adewale Ayuba— they maintained that the country’s currency had to be respected.
Here are some of the ways invented by partygoers to spray money at social functions.
Money boxes: Usually used by musicians, boxes are now permanent features of social functions in Nigeria provided by celebrants or musicians for attendees who rather than spray money would just drop their wads of cash to honour the celebrants or appreciate the craft of musicians.
