Enugu Court Jails Palm Kernel Dealer 'Easy-Money' for Naira Abuse
Justice F. O. Giwa-Ogunbanjo of the Federal High Court sitting in Independence Layout, Enugu State, has convicted and sentenced a 24-year-old palm kernel dealer, Iziga Jude Ikechukwu, popularly known as 'Easy-money', to one year imprisonment for abusing Naira notes during his birthday celebration.
Details of the Charge and Conviction
The convict was arraigned by the Enugu Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on March 26, 2026, on a one-count charge bordering on the mutilation of Naira notes to the tune of N81,700.00 (Eighty-one thousand, Seven Hundred Naira).
The charge stated: "That you, Iziga Jude Ikechukwu on 22nd February 2026, at Embassy Hotel Enugu Ezike, Enugu State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, while celebrating your birthday, you danced and matched on the sum of Eighty-one thousand, Seven hundred Naira (N81,700.00) notes issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria. You thereby committed an offence to wit: mutilation, contrary to and punishable under Section 21 (1) of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007."
Ikechukwu pleaded guilty to the charge. Justice Giwa-Ogunbanjo subsequently convicted and sentenced him to one year imprisonment from the date of arraignment, with an option of a fine of N300,000.00 (Three hundred thousand Naira).
Forfeiture and Arrest Background
The court also ordered that the sum of N81,700.00 (Eighty-One thousand, Seven hundred Naira) recovered from the convict be forfeited to the Federal Government through the EFCC.
The convict was arrested on February 28, 2026, at his residence located around the timber market in Enugu-ezike, Enugu state, by EFCC operatives. This followed actionable intelligence received via a viral video circulating on social media, in which he was seen recording himself while abusing Naira notes in his hotel room during his birthday celebration.
He was promptly charged to court and convicted, highlighting the EFCC's commitment to enforcing laws against currency abuse.
