Court Jails Murja Kunya Six Months Over Mishandling of Naira

During his trial before Justice Simone Amobeda at the state’s Federal High Court, well-known social media influencer Murja Ibrahim Kunya was found guilty and sentenced by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Kano State Directorate.
Kunya was arrested for reportedly playingfully spraying naira bills while lodging at the Tahir Guest Palace in Kano, according to what was understood.
She was first taken into custody in January 2025 for violating the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, which prohibits the naira’s abuse and mutilation.

While she awaits her indictment at the Federal High Court in Kano, the commission granted her administrative bail. She did not show up for court, though, in an effort to avoid the legal processes.
EFCC agents were able to apprehend the TikTok influencer again on Sunday, March 16, 2025, after weeks of intensive investigation and monitoring. A guilty plea to the one-count amended charge was later submitted by her at her arraignment on May 20, 2025.

Kunya is charged with: “You Murja Ibrahim Kunya, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, tampered with Naira notes issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria by spraying and matching on the same on the said occasion, while dancing in one of the rooms at Tahir Guest Palace, Kano, on December 28, 2023, and thereby committed an offense contrary to Section 21 (1) of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007.”

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Prosecuting attorney Musa Isah examined the case’s facts after she entered a guilty plea and asked the court to find her guilty.

Kunya was found guilty and sentenced to six months in prison by Justice Amobeda on Wednesday. She also faced the possibility of paying a fine of ₦50,000 (fifty thousand naira only).

Due to her substantial following on many social media platforms, Justice Amobeda also issued a subsequent decree designating her as an Ambassador for the EFCC and Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), charged with spearheading online advocacy efforts against the misuse of the Naira.

Kunya must use her social media following to educate her followers about the value of respecting Nigerian cash and the legal penalties for misusing or damaging it.