Justice S.M. Shuaibu of the Federal High Court in Kano has convicted one Rabiu Suleiman for violating the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Act by spraying N400 in N100 notes during a wedding ceremony.
The incident occurred in January at the Badawa event centre. Suleiman was arraigned on a one-count charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on April 7. Upon arraignment, he pleaded guilty to the offence.
According to the prosecution, the act contravened the CBN Act of 2007 and is punishable under Section 21(1), which stipulates a penalty of not less than six months imprisonment, a fine of N50,000, or both.
Justice Shuaibu, in his ruling, said, “The accused is convicted as charged.”
However, he acknowledged a plea bargain entered between both parties and ruled in favour of a fine.
“Based on a plea bargain entered by the two parties, the convict is to pay a fine of N200,000,” the judge declared.
EFCC counsel, Z. Muhammad, confirmed the agreement and urged the court to impose a fine in lieu of a custodial sentence.
“The convict had sought for a plea bargain, praying the court to exercise its discretion by imposing fine instead of jail term,” he told the court.
The defence counsel, Ahmad Bua, agreed with the prosecution’s submission.
Justice Shuaibu emphasized the importance of upholding respect for the national currency, regardless of its depreciating value.
“The national currency must be respected by all at every material time,” he stressed, adding that its declining value is no justification for mutilation or public abuse.
