You probably must have heard that a person was arrested for spraying naira notes at occasions and you will be wondering what warrants the arrest. It is therefore pertinent to know the position of the law in that regard, so you don’t fall victim or become liable for arrest.
Why do people spray money in occasions?
Normally people like spraying money during occasions such as wedding and the likes, as a cultural tradition and a way of showing appreciation and support to the celebrants. This practice is a form of celebration and it is seen as a gesture of goodwill and prosperity. It is also a way for guests to contribute to the financial well-being of the celebrants or hosts of the event.
Spraying money does not necessarily connotes showing off, as some persons might interpret it. Remember that even poor people also spray money at occasions, although theirs may not be significant, but it is still part of the cultural practice.
Is anything wrong with spraying money?
There may be several arguments as to whether it is right or wrong to spray money in occasions to celebrate loved ones and so on, but what is paramount to know is that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) frowns at any form of “Naira Abuse” and anyone culpable, risks arrest. The person would have to pay a fine of N50,000 or gets imprisoned for a minimum of six months or even get the both penalties.
The CBN regards spraying of naira notes as “abusing the country’s symbol of sovereignty.” This sentiment is strengthened by Section 21 of the CBN Act which makes it a crime to tamper with or deface naira notes.
According to the section, “A person who tampers with a coin or note issued by the Bank is guilty of an offence and shall on conviction be liable to imprisonment for a term not less than six months or to a fine not less than N50,000 or to both such fine and imprisonment.”
Section 21(3) of the CBN Act specifically forbids Nigerians to spray or throw the national currency at social occasions.
The section says, “For the avoidance of doubt, spraying of, dancing or matching on the Naira or any note issued by the Bank during social occasions or otherwise howsoever, shall constitute an abuse and defacing of the Naira or such note and shall be punishable under subsection (1) of this section.”
Things that counts as naira abuse
- Throwing bundles of naira notes.
- Spraying naira notes.
- Hawking naira notes.
- Squeezing of naira notes
- Using naira notes for money bouquet.
- Loading naira notes into spray guns to spray at parties.
- Defacing naira notes, like dancing, or writing on them.
Are there people who have been arrested for naira abuse?
A lot of Nigerians have fallen victim of this law, the most recent one being the controversial crossdresser Idris Okuneye popularly known as Bobrisky who was arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on the 4th of April, 2024 for allegedly spraying money during the premiere of a Nollywood movie in Lagos.
Also, in February 2024, Nollywood actress, Oluwadarasimi Omoseyin, was sentenced to six months imprisonment for spraying and dancing on naira notes. The court also gave her an option of a fine of ₦300,000.
