Court sentences popular content creator to six months for Naira abuse

Justice Alexander Owoeye of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi has sentenced two TikTok personalities to prison.

Babatunde Peter Olaitan, known as Tee Dollar, and Tobilola Olamide, also known as TobiNation, received six-month jail terms each.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) secured their conviction on Wednesday, May 8, 2025.

Both men pleaded guilty to separate one-count charges involving the abuse of Nigerian currency.

The EFCC arrested the influencers after a viral video surfaced showing them spraying naira notes at a social event.

According to investigators, the incident occurred on April 8, 2025, at a party on 23 Macdonald Road, Ikoyi, Lagos.

In the video, Olaitan and Olamide were seen dancing while spraying N200 notes on guests and entertainers.

The EFCC charged both men under Section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act, 2007.

Olaitan’s charge stated that he tampered with N200 notes by spraying them during the event.

Olamide faced an identical charge, citing the same time and venue.

The court convicted both defendants after they entered guilty pleas.

Justice Owoeye handed down a six-month sentence to each man.

The court may allow the defendants to serve part of the sentence through community service.

The EFCC said the act constituted currency mutilation, a criminal offence under Nigerian law.

Officials emphasized that spraying or mishandling naira notes undermines the integrity of the currency.

“This judgment sends a strong message against currency abuse,” the EFCC spokesperson said in a statement.

The case forms part of a wider EFCC crackdown on naira abuse at public and private events.

The agency has recently summoned several celebrities and socialites over similar acts.

EFCC officials warn that spraying, selling, or stepping on naira notes remains illegal and punishable.

Public reaction to the judgment has been sharply divided.

Some Nigerians praised the EFCC’s efforts to uphold monetary discipline.

Others accused the agency of targeting lower-profile offenders while sparing elites.

Online platforms lit up with debates over selective enforcement and the seriousness of the crime.

The EFCC responded by reaffirming its stance that no one is above the law.

The agency vowed to continue prosecuting offenders, regardless of social status or influence.

Both Tee Dollar and TobiNation remain in custody pending further instructions on the execution of their sentence.

Their lawyers declined to comment on the possibility of appeal or plea for sentence variation.

Observers say the ruling may set a precedent in ongoing efforts to sanitize Nigeria’s financial culture.

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