Fidelia Soriwei, Abuja
A Federal High Court in Warri, Delta State, has convicted and sentenced 12 individuals for abusing and mutilating the naira.
The court also ordered the forfeiture of seven luxury vehicles linked to convicted internet fraudsters.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), through its Benin Zonal Directorate, prosecuted the defendants before Justice Hyeladzira Nganjiwa for offences involving the spraying and mishandling of Naira notes at social events, contrary to the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007.
Those convicted are Abimbola Dolapo, Ufuoma Okotie, Samuel Kingsley, Rasaki Ayomide, Ekpmamuku Oghenekewvwe, Abraham Eriata, Favour Onowighose, Karaki Emmanuel Ejioghene, Simeon Sabastine, Valentine Chikeze, Omoyibo Destiny Prince and Akenuwa Clinton Osamudiamen.
The defendants pleaded guilty when the charges were read to them.
Following their pleas, EFCC counsel, Francis Jirbo, urged the court to convict and sentence them accordingly, while defence lawyers appealed for leniency, saying the offenders were remorseful.
Justice Nganjiwa sentenced 11 of the convicts to six months imprisonment each with an option of a N150,000 fine.
Osamudiamen was handed a six-month jail term with an option of a N200,000 fine. One of the charges against him involved spraying and damaging N20,000 in N200 notes during a birthday celebration in January 2025.
The court also directed all the convicts to sign undertakings committing to good behaviour and to refrain from similar offences in the future.
In a separate order, the judge directed that seven luxury vehicles previously seized by the EFCC from convicted internet fraudsters be forfeited to the Federal Government.
The vehicles include Mercedes-Benz GLK, Mercedes-Benz ML and Mercedes-Benz GLC models, as well as Lexus RX 330 and Lexus ES 350 vehicles.
According to the anti-graft agency, the automobiles were proceeds of unlawful activities.
