The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, secured the conviction of popular TikTok personality, Murja Ibrahim Kunya, who was sentenced to six months imprisonment by the Federal High Court in Kano for abusing the Nigerian currency.
Justice Simone Amobeda delivered the judgment after Kunya pleaded guilty to a one-count charge of Naira abuse, in violation of Section 21(1) of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Act, 2007. The charge stemmed from an incident on December 28, 2023, during which Kunya was seen spraying and stepping on Naira notes while dancing in a room at Tahir Guest Palace, Kano.
Kunya was first arrested by the EFCC in January 2025 and granted administrative bail pending her arraignment. However, she absconded, prompting a manhunt that culminated in her re-arrest on March 16. She was arraigned on May 20 and subsequently entered a guilty plea.
Prosecuting counsel Musa Isah presented the case details and urged the court to convict the defendant. Justice Amobeda sentenced Kunya to six months in prison with an option of a ₦50,000 fine.
In a notable addition to the sentence, the court appointed Kunya as an ambassador for the EFCC and CBN in online campaigns against Naira abuse. The judge directed her to leverage her social media influence to promote awareness about the importance of respecting the national currency and the penalties for its abuse.
