By Yusuf Boluwatife
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), on Monday, announced that anyone who disrespects the Nigerian currency will be prosecuted.
This was contained in a statement signed by the AG. Director, Corporate commissions, CBN, Osita Nwanisobi.
“The attention of CBN has been drawn to people who spray or stamp on the naira especially in social occasions and people who mishandle or reject the naira. And such people are liable to been prosecuted as CBN is collaborating with some executive arms of the government such as; Nigeria Police, FIRS, EFCC and NFIU to curb this offensive act,” the statement reads.
“Buttressing this rule by Section 21, sub-section 3 of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act of 2007 (as ammended) which explains that spraying of, dancing, or matching on the naira note or any note issued by the bank in social occasions or otherwise is an abusive act as it means defacing the naira and such persons is punishable by the law by fines or imprisonment or both.”
The apex advised Nigerians to stop any act which defaces the Nigeria currency as it is not a normal act to do so, adding that “the naira is our legal Tender and symbol of National pride.”
