CSO petitions EFCC, demands investigation of Abuja socialite over alleged naira abuse
A civil society organization, Initiative Against Human Rights Abuse and Torture, INAHURAT, has petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, over alleged abuse of the Nigerian currency by an Abuja-based realtor and socialite, Rebecca Godwin-Isaac, also known as Bilikisu Ishaku Aliyu.
In the petition, dated 21 July and received by the EFCC headquarters in Abuja the same day, the rights group called for investigation of Godwin-Isaac for repeated and deliberate abuse of the naira at social events.
According to the petition, the realtor recorded herself spraying and trampling on naira notes at multiple locations, including Etsako in Edo State and Obosi in Anambra State, and posted the videos on her social media platforms.
INAHURAT, in the petition signed by its National Coordinator, Gerald Katchy, described the alleged actions as a direct violation of Section 21(1) of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Act, 2007, which prohibits the spraying, dancing on, or trampling of naira notes during social occasions.
“This conduct constitutes a clear breach of the law. It is particularly disheartening that this individual appears to operate with impunity, often seen in public escorted by law enforcement officers who seemingly refuse to enforce the law,” the petition said.
The CSO urged the EFCC to investigate and prosecute Godwin-Isaac in line with existing financial laws. It warned that shielding her because of her status, gender, or political connections would undermine public confidence in the anti-corruption drive.
“We strongly believe that this matter warrants equal treatment and urgency, similar to recent high-profile prosecutions. No citizen should be exempt from legal accountability.”
The EFCC, upon receipt of the petition, registered it under reference number EFCC/PET/HQR/2932/2025.
Godwin-Isaac is yet to respond to the allegations.
The development is coming after EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, warned Nigerians against mutilating or spraying the naira, insisting on the agency’s determination to crackdown on currency abuse, which he described as criminal.
Olukoyede, who spoke at a stakeholders’ sensitisation program in Lagos, said abuse of the currency poses economic and legal dangers.
“Nobody who works hard to earn money will go out and start throwing their salary in the air. There is nothing cultural about destroying our national currency,” he said.
The EFCC boss equally announced the establishment of a special task force on dollarisation and naira abuse, launched in collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN.
He also announced that several celebrities and high-profile individuals are under investigation.
It would be recalled that on May 8, 2025, the EFCC secured the conviction of two persons, Babatunde Olaitan and Tobilola Olamide, for naira abuse. They were convicted for spraying the currency at a nightclub in Ikoyi.
Justice Alexander Owoeye of the Federal High Court, Lagos, sentenced them to six months’ imprisonment, with an option of N200,000 fine.
Earlier, in May 2024, Justice C.A. Obiozor of the Federal High Court in Benin City sentenced Osazee Imagbenikaro to six months in prison for spraying N100 notes at a funeral ceremony. The development followed his arrest and prosecution by the EFCC.
In a highly celebrated case, in 2024, the anti-graft agency filed a three-count charge against popular entrepreneur, Pascal Okechukwu, popularly known as Cubana Chief Priest, for spraying N500 notes at multiple events.
The FCC had arraigned Okechukwu on April 17, 2024, on three counts of allegedly spraying and tampering with naira notes during a social event at the Eko hotel in Lagos. The case was eventually settled out court, with the businessman reportedly forfeiting N10 million for the charges to be dropped.
CSO petitions EFCC, demands investigation of Abuja socialite over alleged naira abuse
