Court convicts man for hawking naira, warns Nigerians

A federal high court in Lagos has sentenced one Fabian John Itafor, for hawking the Nigerian currency.

Itafor was given three months of community service by Justice Kehinde Olayiwola Ogundare after he pleaded guilty to a count-charge slapped on him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

According to the prosecutor, Abubaka Wara, Itafor was arrested on February 24, 2024, at Victoria Island, where he was hawking new Naira notes.

He added that during Itafor's arrest, the sum of N347,000.00, $1, £50 were found in his possession.

The convict’s illegal act, contravened Section 21(4) of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act 2007, and was punishable under the same Act.

The charge against the convict reads: “That you Fabian John Itafor, on or about the 24th day of February 2024 at Leisure Event Center Wale Olateju Street, Victoria Island, in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court;

“…hawked the sum of N347 000.00 (Three Hundred and Forty Seven Naira} issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 21(4) of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act 2007.”

The convict pleaded guilty to the charge when it was read to him.

Through his lawyer, the convict claimed that he was a first time offender, and pleaded for leniency and vowed not to engage in such an act.

Justice Ogundare, upon confirming from the prosecutor that the convict is a first time offender said: “… and without any record of previous conviction, sentenced him to three months of community service, but ordered him to pay the sum of N50,000.00 in lieu of the sentencing."

BEB