The Federal High Court in Asaba, Delta State, has sentenced a man, Agbanashi Young, to six months in prison for abusing naira notes during a cultural event.
Justice F. A. Olubanjo delivered the judgment on Wednesday, March 19, 2026, after the defendant pleaded guilty to a one-count charge bordering on spraying and trampling on naira notes, an offence under the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Act, 2007.
According to the charge, Young was arrested for spraying and stepping on N10,000 in N200 denominations while dancing at a cultural event known as “Afor Day” held on November 10, 2023, in Akari Etiti Community, Ndokwa East Local Government Area of Delta State.
The offence violates Section 21(3) of the CBN Act, which prohibits the abuse and improper handling of naira notes.
During the court proceedings, the prosecution counsel, Francis Jirbo, urged the court to convict and sentence the defendant based on his guilty plea. The defence counsel, however, appealed for leniency, stating that the defendant was remorseful and had learned from his actions.
In her ruling, Justice Olubanjo sentenced Young to six months imprisonment or an option of a N500,000 fine. The court also directed the defendant to sign a written undertaking to be of good behaviour going forward.
Young was initially arrested by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for spraying and abusing naira notes at the event before being charged to court, where he was subsequently convicted.
The EFCC has repeatedly warned Nigerians against abusing the naira, stressing that acts such as spraying, mutilating, or stepping on the currency are punishable under the law.