(EFCC) achieved a conviction against Okoli Frank Emeka

The Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) achieved a conviction against Okoli Frank Emeka, sentencing him to six months in prison for the mutilation of Naira notes.

The ruling was delivered by Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos. Emeka faced a single charge of tampering with Naira notes. The specifics of the charge stated: "That you, Okoli Frank Emeka, on the 18th of August, 2024, at Al-moruf Garden, Isheri Olofin, Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, while dancing on Naira notes during a social event, tampered with a total of N2,000,000.00 (Two Million Naira) issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria, thus committing an offense contrary to and punishable under Section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act, 2007." He pleaded guilty when the charge was presented. In light of his plea, prosecution attorney Z.B. Atiku summarized the case based on testimony from Sa'id Sada Sani, an investigative officer with the EFCC. Sani explained that the Commission initiated an intelligence-driven investigation due to a viral video depicting Naira mutilation. He further stated, "A surveillance operation was conducted, resulting in Emeka's arrest on May 15, 2025. He was shown a video of himself spraying the money and subsequently provided a statement about the incident." As a result, the court accepted and admitted Emeka's extrajudicial statements and the video recordings as evidence. Atiku requested the court to impose a conviction and appropriate sentence. Justice Aneke then sentenced Okoli to six months in prison, with the alternative of a fine of N250,000 (Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira).