The Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State, has found two TikTok users, Bukola Arike Rufai and Abdulateef Ayinde Jimoh, guilty of abusing the Nigerian currency.
The duo were convicted on a joint one-count charge of currency mutilation brought against them by the Ibadan Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
According to the charge presented by the prosecution, both individuals were accused of desecrating the Nigerian Naira—specifically by stepping on the currency notes—an act which took place on or about September 25, 2024. The notes in question were issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria.
Their actions were said to be in direct violation of Section 21 (3) of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007, and punishable under Section 21 (1) of the same legislation. When the charge was read in court, both defendants pleaded guilty.
Following their guilty plea, the prosecuting counsel, Mr. Lanre Suleiman, presented the facts of the case and submitted supporting evidence to the court. He subsequently urged the court to convict and sentence the defendants accordingly.
In response, defence counsel, Mr. O.D. Ajadi, pleaded with the court to show leniency, noting that the accused persons were first-time offenders and had shown deep remorse for their actions.
Presiding over the case, Justice Uche Agomoh convicted the two defendants and imposed a fine of ₦50,000 each as punishment.
Their arrest and subsequent prosecution were triggered by a video they shared on TikTok. In the footage, the pair were seen spraying and trampling on Naira notes—an act that ultimately led to their legal ordeal.