Fore-Sighting Nigeria Beyond Now: The Naira Abuse Law And Our Socio-Cultural Rebirth 

It is pertinent that the letters of this Act be publicly explained thoroughly so that citizens are well guided against the cultural practices that run contrary to the stipulations of the Act. When critically examined, it can be established that this Act means well for our Naira, our national identity and our sovereignty as a country. The essence of making the import and the letters of the CBN Act go beyond the pedestrian and oftentimes “beer-parlour” critiques that surround such laws should not be overemphasized, therefore.

To paraphrase the CBN Act, the CBN has the exclusive right to prescribe and regulate the conditions under which the Currency (Naira in this instance) is used as a means for exchange of goods and services.  That should be what the CBN Act presupposes. The Act therefore defines what constitutes of the ABUSE OF NAIRA, to include stumping, engraving, piecing, mutilating, stapling, writing, tearing, soiling, squeezing, etc etc on the Naira (notes or coins). Furthermore, the Act pinpoints other abuses that we, as a people, culturally indulge in, including spraying the Naira notes, dancing on  and marching on the Naira notes also.

Being conscious of the legal consequences of fouling the Act, citizens should deliberately endeavour not to be caught napping. This is how to ensure that we respond accordingly to the demands of responsible citizenship.

The Act records the penalties legitimately attributable to defaulters. Those who continue to indulge in such listed cultural practices termed abusive to the Naira should ordinarily know the consequences of their actions.

Suffice it to state that the Act prescribes a fine of #50,000.00 or a prison term of six months or both the fine and imprisonment as above. Ours is a governed space and citizens should be subject to the laws and statues of the State, no matter the status or position of the citizens involved.

With the case against Bobrisky and lately those of the duo of the Igbo Billionaire  Celebrity Barman –  Hon Pascal Chibuike Okechukwu, aka Cubana Chief Priest and the Anambra-born Social Media Celebrity Native Doctor –  Chiedozie Nwangwu, aka Akwa Ọkụkọ Tiwara Aki eliciting an uproar in mixed sentiments, we must all agree that the Law is no respecter of persons. It is not out of place to suggest that the popularity of those convicted and imprisoned, as well as those being charged or prosecuted (on bail) may have given the Naira Abuse Law an instant high-wired publicity. This traction gained in this publicity needs to be channelled towards ensuring that all citizens become aware of the Law. The consequences of infringing on it, of course, need to be made bare. It is true that the notoriety and or the popularity of the convict/ those being prosecuted and perhaps the media frenzy on the matter may be lending wings for public awareness on the demands of the laws of Nigeria on not just Naira mutilation but the cultural practices of spraying Naira during occasions.

Ordinarily, the conviction of Bobrisky and the No-Guilt plea by Cubana Chief  Priest and a long list of top politicians being investigated should be helping the Government to ensure that  deterrence is achieved against the crime on Naira abuse. It is worth suggesting that the Economic and Financial  Economic Crimes Commission EFCC, should ensure that they maintain the spate of arraignment of defaulters to prove that the Agency is serious in the ongoing enforcement, that is, if the prosecution of offenders falls within the legitimate confines of its responsibilities. The law should be enforced to the extent that decency should return in our social and cultural circles. There should be no sacred cows. I remember watching MC Olumo allegedly spraying and abusing the Naira. There are many high-ranking citizens whose videos showing their involvement in the crime of Naira abuse remain in circulation. The Government must ensure that the rule of law prevails. What is good for Bobrisky, though a crossdresser, is good for all other offenders.

It is envisaged that the prosecution of popular personalities and celebrities including Cubana Chief Priest,  Akwa Ọkụkọ Tiwara Aki, etc and the full blown litigation processes have all jointly created so much wave of awareness that our Country’s Laws frown at such indulgences. Let issues of jurisdiction and proof of guilt be openly litigated and settled. The law enforcement agencies must all synergize and ensure that this law is enforced even if it involves effecting arrests of culprits at the scenes of the crime (at the point the offense is committed in all occasions).

The import of the foregoing, therefore, is that our Society should begin to braze up for a cultural switch. We must adjust meaningfully from the flamboyance of Naira spraying to some sort of sociocultural decency. The law should be respected and citizens must submit fully to the dictates of the law, especially during cultural festivities / sundry events in Igboland and generally, across the landscape of Nigeria.

There are innovations that are springing up, however. We are today seeing cash transfers during occasions as well as dummy currencies being sprayed (a kind of Naira-look-alike specifically printed to suit the occasion involved). These options might minimize the much needed social decorum envisaged by the Naira Abuse Law, but the gradual withdrawal exhibited by the innovation is welcomed.

Money is NOT water and must not be denigrated, abused or sprayed.