The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has formally invited Ibrahim Mohammad, a Nigerien national, along with his family and other guests, for questioning regarding alleged currency abuse at his wedding to Amina Babagana Zannah in Kano. The move follows a viral video showing individuals at the wedding freely spraying naira notes, which has sparked widespread public backlash and intensified the EFCC’s ongoing efforts to combat currency abuse.
In a statement issued on Monday, Dele Oyewale, Head of Media and Publicity for the EFCC confirmed the agency’s response to the incident. According to Oyewale, an initial mistake in reporting linked the controversial naira-spraying incident to the wedding of Fauziya Danjuma Goje, the daughter of Senator Danjuma Goje, which had drawn significant media attention and public concern. However, further investigation clarified that the incident actually took place at the wedding of Amina Babagana Zannah, not Goje’s daughter.
“The attention of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has been drawn to a viral video where the nation’s currency, Naira, was freely sprayed at a wedding ceremony in Kano, Kano State on Friday, October 24, 2024. Allegations of the abuse of the Naira were imputed to Mrs Fauziya Danjuma Goje, daughter of Senator Danjuma Goje, by Nigerians from all walks of life, including an Editorial by a leading and respected National Newspaper,” the statement read.
The EFCC clarified that the alleged naira abuse occurred during the wedding dinner of Amina Babagana Zannah, the daughter of Hajara Seidu Haruna, also known as Hafsat Gold Nigeria, a prominent businesswoman. Haruna acknowledged the incident in her statement to the EFCC, explaining that the groom’s family, who are from Niger Republic, had sprayed both naira and dollar bills as part of the wedding celebration.
Oyewale continued: “As a responsible and accountable anti-corruption agency campaigning against currency mutilation and dollarization of the economy, the EFCC swung into action by analyzing the video and findings showed that the alleged naira abuse actually happened but not at the wedding of Goje’s daughter but at the wedding dinner of Amina Babagana Zannah held on the afore-mentioned date.”
He further explained that the groom, Ibrahim Mohammad, along with those who participated in the spraying of currency at the wedding, has been summoned to report to the EFCC’s headquarters in Abuja for further investigation. The EFCC emphasized its commitment to combating currency abuse, stating that it would not hesitate to take action against anyone involved, regardless of their status or position.
“The Commission has invited the Nigerien groom, Mohammad, to report at its national headquarters in Abuja, with everyone that sprayed naira notes at his wedding with Zannah. While the EFCC appreciates the consciousness its campaigns against naira abuse are building across the country, it will not move against anyone wrongly accused of an alleged crime. The Commission remains steadfast in this crusade and would spare no offender, no matter how highly placed,” the statement added.
This incident has become part of a broader national conversation about the abuse of Nigeria’s currency, with the EFCC using the viral video as part of its ongoing educational efforts to discourage the practice of spraying and mutilating naira notes at public events. The commission has previously warned that such acts undermine the country’s economy and could lead to legal consequences for those involved.
As the investigation continues, the EFCC remains resolute in its campaign to preserve the integrity of Nigeria’s currency and prevent the misuse of the naira, especially amid the growing trend of dollarization in the country.