Social media influencer and controversial TikTok personality, Murja Ibrahim Kunya, was on Wednesday sentenced to six months imprisonment by the Federal High Court in Kano for abusing the Nigerian currency.
Justice Simon Amobeda, who presided over the matter, handed down the sentence following Kunya’s guilty plea to a one-count charge brought against her by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The charge stemmed from an incident in December 2023, when Kunya was caught on video spraying and trampling on Naira notes while dancing at the Tahir Guest Palace in Kano.
The EFCC, in its charge, said her conduct contravened Section 21(1) of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007, which criminalises the abuse and mutilation of the country’s legal tender.
Kunya, who was initially arrested in January 2025, had been granted administrative bail but later absconded, prompting a manhunt by the anti-graft agency.
She was eventually re-arrested on March 16 and arraigned before the court on May 20, where she entered a guilty plea.
The prosecuting counsel, Musa Isah, urged the court to convict the defendant in view of her plea and the facts of the case.
Justice Amobeda sentenced Kunya to six months in prison but gave her the option of a ₦50,000 fine. In a move aimed at leveraging her massive online presence, the court also directed that she be appointed as a public advocate for both the EFCC and the Central Bank of Nigeria.
“She is to serve as an ambassador for anti-Naira abuse campaigns online, using her social media platforms to educate her followers on the legal and economic consequences of currency mutilation,” the judge ruled.
This is part of a broader crackdown by Nigerian authorities on the abuse of the Naira, a practice that has gained traction among celebrities and social media personalities.
The EFCC has reiterated its commitment to enforcing financial laws and promoting public awareness on currency respect.
Murja Kunya, known for her provocative content and large fan base on TikTok and Instagram, becomes one of the most high-profile individuals to be convicted under the CBN’s anti-naira abuse laws.
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