In September 2024, wild rush to harvest followers on social media led the duo of Abdulateef Jimoh and Bukola Rufai into troubled water and finally inside the court.
Jimoh and Rufai shot a video wherein they were spraying, matching on naira notes and uploaded the visual on Tiktok for global audience and financial benefit.
Consequently, the so-called social media influencers were arrested by the Ibadan Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and prosecuted on a one-count charge at the Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
The charge heard by Justice Uche Agomoh of the court reads: “That you Bukola Arike Rufai and Abdulateef Ayinde Jimoh on or about the 25th day of September, 2024 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did match on Naira Notes, issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria and thereby committed an offence, contrary to Section 21 (3) of the Central Bank Act 2007 and Punishable under Section 21 (1) of the same Act.”
According to the EFCC Head, Media and Publicity, Mr Dele Oyewale, the duo “pleaded “guilty” when the charge, following which the prosecution counsel, Lanre Suleiman reviewed the facts of the case, tendered incriminating evidence and prayed the court to convict and sentence them accordingly, while the defence counsel, O.D. Ajadi told the court to temper justice with mercy, stating that the duo are first offenders and have become remorseful of their action.”
Justice Agomoh convicted both offenders without a sentence and gave them N50, 000.00 (Fifty Thousand Naira) option of fine each.
Published on July 12, 2025
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