Court Convicts Social Media Influencers, Bukola Rufai and Abdulateef Ayinde for Naira Abuse

The Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State, has convicted two social media influencers, Bukola Rufai and Abdulateef Jimoh, for abusing the Nigerian currency.

Justice Uche Agomoh delivered the ruling following their arraignment by the Ibadan Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The conviction was announced in a statement on Wednesday by the EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale.

According to the statement, Rufai and Jimoh were charged with a one-count offence of currency mutilation.

The charge stated that the duo, on or about September 25, 2024, “did match on Naira notes issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria,” an act that violates Section 21(3) and is punishable under Section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act, 2007.

Upon reading the charge, both defendants pleaded guilty.

Prosecution counsel, Lanre Suleiman, presented evidence, including a video of the incident, and urged the court to convict and sentence them. Defence lawyer, O.D. Ajadi, pleaded for leniency, noting that the pair were first-time offenders and had shown remorse.

Justice Agomoh convicted the defendants but opted not to impose a custodial sentence. Instead, she gave them an option of a ₦50,000 fine each.

Their arrest followed a video they posted on TikTok, showing themselves spraying and trampling on naira notes.