The Kaduna Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has successfully prosecuted and obtained the conviction of Ibrahim Musa Dabai, who was found guilty of tampering with Nigerian currency.
The ruling was delivered by Justice M.N Yunusa of the Federal High Court in Kano, Kano State.
Mr. Ibrahim was apprehended by officers of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) along the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway while in possession of a significant quantity of coins.
He claimed that he utilized these coins to create jewelry for commercial purposes. Subsequently, he was handed over to the EFCC for further investigation.
During the course of the investigation, the convict revealed that he had been involved in the business of converting coins into various types of jewelry, including rings, earrings, bracelets, and more, for the past 25 years.
The charge against Ibrahim Musa Dabai stated that he “voluntarily engaged in tampering with Nigerian currency, to wit: coins issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria when he used the same to produce jewelry for commercial purposes, thereby committing an offense contrary to and punishable under Section 21 (1) of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007.”
The defendant pleaded guilty to the charge. N. Salele, the prosecution counsel, urged the court to convict the defendant accordingly.
In delivering the judgment, Justice Yunusa found the defendant guilty and sentenced him to three months’ imprisonment. Alternatively, he was given the option to pay a fine of N30,000.
Furthermore, the mutilated currency used by the defendant in the production of jewelry will be returned to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for proper destruction, in accordance with the provisions of the CBN Act, 2007.
The conviction of Ibrahim Musa Dabai serves as a stern reminder that tampering with Nigerian currency is a criminal offense and will not be taken lightly by the law. The EFCC continues to work diligently to combat financial crimes and maintain the integrity of the country’s currency.
“Tampering with Nigerian currency is a serious offense that undermines the stability and trust in our monetary system,” stated an EFCC spokesperson. “We will continue to investigate and prosecute individuals who engage in such activities to ensure that our financial system remains robust and secure.”
Discussion about this post