By Elizabeth Godwin
The Lagos Zonal Command 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) recently secured six-month jail terms for Babatunde Peter Olaitan and Tobilola Olamide over the unlawful handling of Nigerian currency.
Justice Alexander Owoeye of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi handed down the sentences after both individuals admitted to single-count charges involving the defacement and spraying of Naira notes—specifically, ₦200 bills—during a social gathering.
According to court documents, Olaitan and Olamide, also known by his alias “TobiNation,” were caught on video at a party held on April 8, 2025, at Macdonald Road, Ikoyi, dancing while spraying currency—an act prohibited under Section 21(1) of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007.
The prosecution, represented by counsels C.C. Okezie and H.U. KofarNaisa, presented their case through EFCC operative Ibrahim Bukar, who testified that the agency launched an investigation after spotting the currency abuse in a video circulating on TikTok. Bukar told the court that Olaitan, also referred to as “TDollar,” appeared in the clip flaunting and tossing money into a crowd. Both defendants were invited for questioning and gave written statements under caution.
Following the presentation of evidence—including video footage and the defendants’ confessions—the prosecution urged the court to convict. The judge agreed, sentencing each individual to six months imprisonment with an alternative option to pay a ₦200,000 fine.
The EFCC reminded the public that abuse of the Naira is a criminal offense and warned against such conduct, especially in public and social events.
