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What is a Nigerian party without dancing to Segun Johnson’s “Ṣo ma ná’wó yẹn tán” and spraying the celebrant with hard currency?!
Surely, the vibes at Saturdays’ “Owambe” have not remained the same since the crossdresser, Idris Okuneye “Bobrisky,” was sentenced to six months in prison in April 2024. His offence was simple; he sprayed the Naira notes at a party just like everybody does.
Bobrisky’s conviction marked a bold step by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to clamp down on Naira abuse. The commission had previously warned about this offence, but rarely enforced it.
Many people applauded the move as a long-overdue stand against financial recklessness, but the “Odogwus” whispered: “Dem no fit kill our vibes.”
In no time, Nigerians devised new ways of spraying money. The rich began to spray dollars. Some make mobile transfers while dancing with celebrants. At other parties, guests purchase vouchers equivalent to the amount they wish to give. These vouchers carry the celebrant’s or host’s images.
But some individuals who insist on “ethical spraying” would bring out bundles of money and gently pat the celebrant’s body, face, or head.
On the surface, this looks like compliance. No one is flinging individual notes, and no cash is sticking to sweaty bodies or littering the dance floor. Just clean, wrapped bundles are gently lobbed around.
But the question remains, “Is that still Naira abuse?”
What is Naira abuse?
The law regarding the handling of Naira notes at social events is clear. According to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Act of 2007, spraying, dancing on, or stepping on the Naira at parties is punishable by up to six months’ imprisonment, a fine of N50,000, or both.
To remove all doubt, section 21(5)(ii) clarifies that “‘Spraying’ includes adorning, decorating or spraying anything or any person or any part of any person or the person of another with Naira notes or coins or sprinkling or sticking of the Naira notes or coins in a similar manner regardless of the amount, occasion or the intent.”
Amina Miango, a lawyer and Project Lead, Law Democracy and Judiciary at the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), explained that the CBN’s definition of money spraying covers the act of using Naira notes, whether as single units or in bundles, to pat or tap any part of a celebrant’s body during social events. She said this act contravenes the law and calls on the EFCC to investigate it.
“Using the Naira to pat or adorn a person still contravenes that part of the CBN Act. According to the explanation in that section, the CBN envisages a situation whereby people will be doing this. So, it gave a very broad definition of what spraying is. And whether you’re patting a person with the bundles or spraying the notes, it’s still the same thing. They are liable. So, the EFCC should actually look into it. Maybe they need to use one more person as a scapegoat,” she told DUBAWA.
Amina further advised Nigerians to opt for money vouchers or transfers at social events. She said those are safer methods to enjoy your parties without breaking the law.
Beyond spraying, you may also be guilty of other crimes
Many Nigerians don’t realise that “spraying” is just one of several ways you can land in trouble with the EFCC or CBN.
Other acts that constitute Naira abuse could be writing on notes, tearing off corners, folding them repeatedly, stapling or pinning notes, using Naira for decoration, such as putting them in birthday cakes or flower arrangements, selling or trading new Naira notes at parties, stepping on Naira during dance or performance displays, and glueing or pasting Naira for artistic or symbolic purposes.
Depending on how the court views your offence, either could attract a ₦50,000 fine, six months imprisonment, or both. Therefore, spraying Naira, whether as notes or bundles, could be grounds for prosecution.
So before you throw that bundle next weekend, ask yourself, “Is it worth six months?”
