A video showing Hajiya Maryam Wadada, wife of Nasarawa State APC governorship hopeful Senator Ahmed Wadada, handing out large bundles of naira notes at a public event has sparked calls for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate.
The footage was recorded at the launch of the Hajiya Maryam Ahmed Wadada Aliyu Women Empowerment Scheme 2026, where ₦325 million was shared among 6,500 women from all 13 Local Government Areas in Nasarawa State. The event took place last Monday, August 17, just days before the official start of the 2027 election campaign period, which begins on August 19.
Video Shows Cash Distribution at Empowerment Event
In the video, Mrs. Wadada stands at a table covered with stacks of mint naira notes, flanked by two men. One man unwraps a bundle, hands portions to the other, who then passes notes to Mrs. Wadada for distribution to the women gathered around her. The scene has drawn criticism online, with many social media users calling on the EFCC to examine the handling of the currency.
Organisers described the initiative as a grassroots support scheme aimed at providing direct financial relief to women across the state. However, commentators were less charitable, with many characterising the distribution as a thinly veiled attempt to buy votes ahead of the February election.
Legal Framework Against Naira Abuse
Beyond the political optics, critics pointed to how the naira notes were handled, raising questions about potential violations of Nigeria's currency laws. Under Section 21 of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Act, 2007, deliberate and wilful abuse of naira notes is prohibited. The law defines abuse to include mutilation, stapling, soiling, squeezing, tearing, writing on notes, or any other form of wilful mishandling. Anyone convicted under this provision risks a prison term of not less than six months, a fine of at least ₦50,000, or both.
The calls for an investigation come at a time when the EFCC has been actively pursuing naira abuse cases. In July 2026, the commission secured guilty pleas and convictions against 12 people before the Federal High Court in Warri, Delta State, following charges related to spraying naira notes at a social gathering.
EFCC's Recent Enforcement Record
The commission's enforcement record also includes the 2024 conviction of Idris Okuneye, known publicly as Bobrisky, who received a six-month prison sentence for naira abuse. In February, Kannywood actress Samha Inuwa was arrested after a video allegedly showed her wiping her nose with naira notes.
The incident involving Mrs. Wadada has now prompted public questions about whether the EFCC will examine the handling of the currency at the empowerment event and determine whether it crosses the threshold set by the law.
CBN Warns Against Naira Abuse
Previously, the Central Bank of Nigeria expressed concern over the growing abuse of the naira, warning that the widespread defacing and mishandling of banknotes is driving up the cost of currency management while reducing the lifespan of Nigeria's legal tender. CBN Governor Olayemi Cardoso made the remarks in Abuja during the launch of the Naira Ambassadors Club, an initiative designed to educate students on the proper handling of the national currency and encourage greater respect for the naira.
