Kano TikToker Murja Kunya Jailed for Naira Abuse, Gets Option of ₦50,000 Fine

On May 28, 2025, the Federal High Court in Kano sentenced popular TikTok influencer Murja Ibrahim Kunya to six months in prison for violating the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Act by abusing the naira. Justice Simon Amobeda, however, offered her an option to pay a ₦50,000 fine in lieu of incarceration.

The conviction stemmed from a viral video recorded on December 28, 2023, at Tahir Guest Palace in Kano, where Kunya was seen spraying and dancing on naira notes—actions prohibited under Section 21(1) of the CBN Act, 2007.

Initially arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in January 2025, Kunya was granted administrative bail but failed to appear in court, prompting a manhunt. She was re-arrested on March 16, 2025, and subsequently arraigned on May 20, where she pleaded guilty to the amended charge.

In a notable development, Justice Amobeda recommended that the EFCC and CBN consider appointing Kunya as a brand ambassador to leverage her influence in educating the public against naira abuse.

This case underscores the Nigerian government's intensified efforts to enforce laws protecting the national currency's integrity, with the EFCC warning against acts like spraying, stamping, or mutilating naira notes during social events.