The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, secured the conviction of popular social media influencer, Murja Ibrahim Kunya, for violating the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Act by abusing the Naira.
Justice Simone Amobeda of the Federal High Court sitting in Kano handed down the verdict, sentencing Kunya to six months’ imprisonment with an option of ₦50,000 fine.
Kunya had been arrested for spraying and stepping on Naira notes while dancing in a hotel room at Tahir Guest Palace, Kano, an act captured in a video that circulated widely online.
Absconding, rearrest, and guilty plea
Initially arrested in January 2025, Kunya was granted administrative bail pending her arraignment. However, she absconded and evaded court processes for several weeks.
EFCC operatives re-arrested her on March 16, 2025, after weeks of surveillance, and she was subsequently arraigned on May 20, 2025, where she pleaded guilty to a one-count amended charge.
The charge read in part:
“You Murja Ibrahim Kunya… tampered with Naira notes issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria by spraying and matching on same… thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 21(1) of the CBN Act, 2007.”
Prosecution counsel, Musa Isah, reviewed the facts of the case and urged the court to convict her accordingly.
Judge assigns influencer to national advocacy role
In a rare sentencing twist aimed at rehabilitation and public education, Justice Amobeda also ordered that Kunya be appointed an EFCC and CBN ambassador for online advocacy campaigns against Naira abuse.
The court directed that she use her social media platforms to educate her followers about the value of the Nigerian currency and the legal implications of defacing or abusing it.
The judge emphasized the need to leverage Kunya’s large online influence to curb rising cases of currency abuse, particularly among the youth.
