Comfort Isaac.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, says it has secured the conviction and sentence of a social media influencer, Murja Ibrahim Kunya, arraigned before Justice Simone Amobeda of the Federal High Court sitting in Kano.
Kunya was arrested for allegedly spraying Naira notes for fun during her stay in a hotel room at Tahir Guest Palace in Kano.
In a statement by EFCC Spokesperson Dele Oyewale on Wednesday, Kunya was initially arrested in January 2025 for violating the Central Bank of Nigeria CBN, Act which prohibits the abuse and mutilation of the Naira.
Oyewale said she was granted an administrative bail by the Commission pending her arraignment before the Federal High Court in Kano but when it was time for her court appearance, she absconded in her bid to evade the legal processes.
He added, “However, after weeks of intensive investigation and surveillance, EFCC operatives successfully re-arrested the TikTok Influencer on Sunday March 16, 2025. She was subsequently arraigned on 20 May 2025 where she pleaded guilty to the one count amended charge
Following her guilty plea according to the statement, counsel for the prosecution, Musa Isah reviewed the facts of the case and prayed the court to convict her accordingly.
A judgment on Wednesday, Justice Amobeda convicted Kunya and sentenced her to six months imprisonment with an option of N50,000 (Fifty Thousand Naira only) fine.
In a significant and rehabilitative dimension to the sentencing, Justice Amobeda also issued a consequential order appointing her as an Ambassador of EFCC and CBN in online advocacy campaigns against Naira Abuse due to her substantial following across various social media platforms.
This order mandates Kunya to utilize her social media reach to educate her followers on the importance of respecting the Nigerian currency and the legal consequences of its abuse or mutilation.
