In a landmark decision, Nigerian actress Oluwadarasimi Omoseyin, widely known as Simi Gold, has been convicted and sentenced to six months in prison for her involvement in the desecration of fresh Naira notes. The judgment was delivered by Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Thursday, February 1, 2024.
The legal proceedings originated from charges filed against Simi Gold by the Lagos Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on February 13, 2023. The actress had initially pleaded “not guilty” to the two counts brought against her.
The court, in one of its charges, accused Simi Gold of tampering with the sum of N100,000.00 (One Hundred Thousand Naira) during a social occasion at Monarch Event Centre in Lekki, Lagos, on January 28, 2023. The act of spraying and stepping on the fresh Naira notes was deemed a violation of Section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act, 2007.
The court’s decision to sentence the actress to six months in prison serves as a significant precedent, highlighting the legal consequences associated with the desecration of the national currency. The judgment emphasizes the importance of upholding the integrity of the Naira and discouraging practices that undermine the value of the currency issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria.
Simi Gold’s conviction reflects the commitment of the Nigerian legal system to maintain the sanctity of its currency and deter individuals from engaging in activities that could have adverse effects on the nation’s financial system.
