The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) disclosed that it is working with law enforcement agencies to arrest and prosecute people caught abusing the naira.
The apex bank, in a statement on Tuesday, said the warning was necessitated by the recent activities by those who flagrantly abuse the legal tender by “spraying, dancing or matching” on it at parties.
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“Accordingly, the Central Bank of Nigeria is collaborating with the Nigeria Police, Federal Inland Revenue Service, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit to address the unpatriotic practice,” the statement added.
“We, therefore, warn Nigerians, particularly those at social functions such as birthdays, weddings and funerals, to desist from disrespecting the Naira or risk being arrested by law enforcement agencies.”
“The Naira is our legal tender and symbol of national pride. Let us respect it and handle it with care.”
The apex bank has warned against spraying naira notes at social functions, describing it as an “unpatriotic practice”.
“The attention of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has again been drawn to the activities of persons, who flagrantly abuse the legal tender by hurling wads of Naira notes in the air and stamping on the currency at social functions,” the statement signed by Osita Nwanisobi, CBN’s spokesperson, reads.
“There have also been cases where people mishandle the Naira, deface it, hawk the currency at parties and reject the currency in some instances.
“It should be stated that, contrary to the practice of these unpatriotic persons, it is neither cultural nor moral for people to disrespect the currency which citizens trade in.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Section 21(3) of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act 2007 (As amended) stipulates that “spraying of, dancing or matching on the Naira or any note issued by the Bank during social occasions or otherwise shall constitute an abuse and defacing of the Naira or such note and shall be punishable under the law by fines or imprisonment or both.”